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LOT 0326
Ethiopian Triptych Icon with Mary and John the Evangelist
16TH CENTURY A.D.
14 x 8 1/2 in. (760 grams, 35.5 x 21.5 cm).
A wooden triptych with recessed central panel and two folding doors; the central panel with crucifixion scene with robed Mary and John the Evangelist, another apostle and Mary Magdalen, two crucified thieves to the rear and the angels depicted collecting the blood of God in cups; underneath the Crucifixion scene Virgin Mary and the Child escorted by armed Saint Gabriel and Saint Michael, prophets to the sides; the left door with nude Adam and Eve reaching up to the Resurrection of Christ, beneath them three prophets; the right door with two saints (upper panel) and three prophets; left and right bottom panels with Saint George (Bet Giorgis) and military Saint Victor on horseback; Ethiopian Ge'ez script legends.
ProvenanceAcquired on the London art market, 2003.
UK private collection.
See Chojnacki, S., Major Themes in Ethiopian Painting, indigenous developments, the influence of foreign models and their adaptation, from the 13th to the 19th century, Wiesbaden, 1983, pp.172ff, fig.162, for a similar triptych.
FootnotesThe icon shows the Western influence on Ethiopian art. The first element is the orb which the Child holds in his left hand and the second element is the pose of his right hand. The orb appeared in Ethiopian paintings around 1500 A.D. Moreover, his hand shows two fingers outstretched, the index and middle finger, and the two last fingers folded.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0326
Ethiopian Triptych Icon with Mary and John the Evangelist
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,040
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Decorated Bronze Container
Circa 17th-19th century A.D.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £500
A bronze trinket-box or container with separate lid; the slightly flared body with three stub feet formed as bunches of grapes, field with frieze divided by twisted branches and leaves into three scenes featuring foxes and a snake; domed lid with with vines, leaves and bunches of grapes, knop handle formed as a twig stump. 1.28 kg, 12.3 cm high
English private collection. -
Ethiopian Maskal Cross with Ge'ez Inscriptions
15th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
A large bifacial wooden hand cross with engraved interlace borders and stylised flowers around crosses to one side, and blessing inscriptions in Ge'ez to the other framed by foliage; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 500 grams, 29 cm high (43 cm high including stand)
Acquired from Owen Hargreaves, 2003. UK private collection.
Ethiopian crosses, called in Amharic Maskal are divided into four main types: a) handcrosses, which can be large (22 to 53 cm) or small (14 to 21cm); b) processional crosses, usually measuring 22-60cm; c) pectoral or neck crosses, measuring 1-10cm; d) apex or architectural crosses, measuring 50-150cm. Our maskal belongs to the large hand cross category, probably of Havaria group, most common in the Shoa and Gojam provinces. The inscription reads from top to bottom: Sdar Alazar (name of locality) – Egzten nute mäsqäl (cross) on the left side, and Egzten Jesus (on the right side) followed by Adoneh Gavriil – Welde Hannah – Welde Michail. The cross invokes the blessing of God through the three Saints Hannah, Michael, Gabriel, who can be also the names related to the family of the priest who once owned the cross. -
Post Medieval Papal Silver Reliquary Pendant with Portrait
18th-19th century A.D.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
A silver reliquary pendant composed of a hinged oval-shaped locket with articulate swivel clasp and perforated suspension loop; the upper face engraved with a bleeding heart wearing a crown of barbed wire and surmounted by a Christian cross, framed by two scrolled bars; reverse engraved with similar bars framing the initials 'MRA' (possibly 'Maria Regina Angelorum') with leaf below; the interior with polychrome bust of the Virgin glancing skywards, her hands clasped in front of her body to her right, a flaming heart impaled with five swords in front of her chest, painted onto glass; glass panel with fabric backing sewn with the papal insignia of crossed keys beneath cross-topped triple crown (tiara) in what appears to be gold and silver thread; possible inscription to upper face of the (articulate) hinge. 50.36 grams, 70 mm high
Fine condition.
Property of a Colchester, UK, collector.
