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LOT 0374
Ethiopian Wooden Diptych Icon of the Virgin and Child with Gabra Manfus Qeddus and Saints
17TH CENTURY A.D.
8 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (453 grams, 21.8 x 19 cm).
Portable shrine with geometric ornament and crosses to the outer face, opening doors to reveal a diptych with image of Mary Theotokos and Child, escorted by angels Gabriel and Michael with drawn swords, on the left; on the right, Abune Gabra Manfus Qeddus with hands raised, nimbate figures of Takla Haymanot and Ewostatewos with yellow and blue garments on the right; on the lower right corner Saint George (Bet Gorgis) killing the dragon. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceSir Alistair McAlpine, circa 2000.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
See Chojnacki, S., 'Notes on Art in Ethiopia in the 16th Century: an Enquiry into the Unknown Author(s)' in Journal of Ethiopian Studies, Vol. 9, July 1971, No. 2 pp. 21-97, fig.10, for similar scene; Chojnaki, S., 'The Iconography of St. George in Ethiopia: Part II: St. George, the Dragon-Killer' in Journal of Ethiopian Studies, Vol. 11, No. 2 (July 1973), pp.51-92, icon I.E.S. collection no.3887; cf. also Heldman, M., Munro-Hay Stuart, C., African Zion, The sacred art of Ethiopia, Yale University Press, 1993, cat.11,13,102, for icons in similar style, and p.7.
FootnotesIn the Ethiopian icons, Gabra Manfas Qeddus (Servant of the Holy Spirit) the famous hermit whose sanctity tamed the wild beasts, is often represented. The exterior faces of these diptych panels, like the smaller bilateral diptychs of the 17th century, were carved with centralised cross designs that reflects the carved designs of contemporary wooden altar tablets.
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LOT 0374
Ethiopian Wooden Diptych Icon of the Virgin and Child with Gabra Manfus Qeddus and Saints
Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,210
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Georgian 'Thames' Iron Scissors
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Pointillé decoration to the body, keeled blades and small loop handles, mechanism still working. 54.1 grams, 17 cm
Found on the Thames foreshore in the 1980s. Property of an Essex collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Reproduction Native American Knapped Arrowheads
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13
Including obsidian and other types, barbed-and-tanged, two with broad tang. 267 grams total, 7-16.2 cm
From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Ethiopian Engraved Bronze Cross with Figures of the Holy Fathers
Circa 1450-1480 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,080
A bifacial Yämäṩor Mäsqäl processional cross finial comprising an openwork flat-section panel surmounted by a cross, with interlaced tendril design engraved with four seated saints on both faces in low-relief; tapering tubular socket with circumferential ribbing, lateral angled crosses. 404 grams, 30.5 cm
Ex central London gallery. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
In contrast with the hand cross that is fitted with a grip, the processional cross has a hollow shaft into which the pole supporting the cross is inserted, although the use of both is interconnected in the liturgy and ceremonial aspects of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. In Amharic, it received the name of yämäṩor mäsqäl or "cross to [carry] on a pole", the term mäṩor also meaning a wooden handle. Processional crosses are used on "every qaddase day" occasions - an expression meaning whenever the liturgy is performed. This includes displaying the cross during the reading of the Gospels and other sacred texts, as well as holding it up to be viewed at the end of the service for the final blessing.
