Greek Style Tanagra Torso Statue

Comprising two recessed panels, the left hand panel showing biblical scenes divided into two panels: in the upper panel the deposition of Christ in the tomb and the Resurrection of God, holding a flag in his left hand and grasping the hand of Adam with the right; in the lower panel the flagellation of Christ and the road to the Calvary; Ge'ez inscriptions on the field; the right hand panel showing the Crucifixion, Ge'ez inscriptions on the field. 946 grams total, 32.5 x 21.5 - 33 x 21.5 cm



Ex Alistair McAlpine collection, 2004. Ex central London gallery.

The icon shows Western influence on Ethiopian art. The Crucifixion image contains many elements of this iconography which are found in many Oriental and Western art of the Middle Ages, but with significant changes from the previous representations: Jesus is nailed with three nails and not four, the head leaning towards his right shoulder and the hair falling on his shoulders. Following the Western influence, Christ is represented in a spasm of physical pain, and consequently a more detailed anatomy of his chest and abdomen is depicted. This concept of the Crucifixion, common in the Italian Late Middle Age and Renaissance art, found its way to Ethiopia at some time towards the end of the 15th century, or at the beginning of the 16th century. As in the majority of the Resurrection icons of this period, Christ is dressed in a long robe with a cloak or toga draped over one shoulder.

Painted on board with reinforcing panel to the reverse, gessoed surface with painting depicting the resurrected Christ revealing his wounds to St Thomas, who is reaching towards the fifth stigmata with his raised forefinger, the apostles having gathered around the pair witnessing the inspection of the wounds; Christ standing within a framed doorway with gilt dome above. 1.58 kg, 48.5 cm high

Fine condition, some repainting.

Ex property of a London lady, part of her family's collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11545-196368.

The icon represents a well known iconography from the New Testament, Gospel of Saint John, chapter 20, in which the resurrected Christ stands beside ‘Doubting Thomas’, supposedly the most sceptical of the twelve apostles. In this chapter Christ appears to Thomas’s fellow disciples while Thomas himself is absent and upon his return, Thomas’s friends tell him about Christ’s resurrection, which Thomas does not believe in. After eight days pass, Jesus comes again, and this time Thomas is confronted by his Lord: “Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing.”

Including a gold coronet badge, match case with hinged lid, heart-shaped pendant and other items. 65 grams total, 15-54 mm



Acquired since the 1970s. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.