This is the only known icon devoted to the genealogy of a monastic order. Its subject is the "House of Ewost'atewos," one of two major monastic orders of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Born circa 1273, St. Ewost'atewos founded a number of monasteries in northern Ethiopia. Doctrinal disputes led to h
In the seventeenth century, Ethiopian artists were increasingly exposed to forms of expression from Europe. During this period, double-sided diptychs became popular among the nobility as pendant icons worn suspended by a cord around the neck. The subject matter depicted on this example is a standard
This pendant's intimate scale and protective external panel allowed it to be used as a portable personal icon. The single-faced diptych's carved wooden case could be opened to reveal paintings of the Virgin Mary and St. George, two of the most popular figures in Ethiopian Orthodoxy Christianity. The
Depicting 13 holy men, this diptych (two-panel painting) is sized for an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian church or elite home. It is painted in the bold, colorful style associated with royal court workshops from the early 1600s to the mid-1700s. Painter Wäldä Maryam (or someone he trained) set this sce
Abune Tekle Haymanot (Ge'ez: አቡነ ተክለ ሃይማኖት; known in the Coptic Church as Saint Takla Haymanot of Ethiopia; 1215–1313) was an Ethiopian saint and monk mostly venerated as a hermit. He was the Abuna of Ethiopia who founded a major monastery in his native province of Shewa....
This illuminated canon table from an Ethiopian Gospel book employs Ge'ez script within a brightly colored, architectonic structure decorated with characteristic interlace patterns.
This double-sided triptych icon from Ethiopia is a small-scale painting that would have been used in private devotion. The cylinder at the top of the piece reflects the construction of smaller Ethiopian icons that were suspended from a cord and worn around the neck. When open, the piece...
This large Ethiopian Gospel Book was made in the first half of the sixteenth century and is written in Ge'ez, the traditional liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Containing eleven full-page miniatures, six canon tables, and five elaborately ornamented harags, or headpieces, this manuscript represents the...
About the Image: This large Ethiopian Gospel Book was made in the first half of the sixteenth century and is written in Ge'ez, the traditional liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Containing eleven full-page miniatures, six canon tables, and five elaborately ornamented harags, or headpieces, this...
About the Image: The image you have presented appears to be a handheld cross from Ethiopia, dating from somewhere between the 18th and 20th century. Ethiopian crosses are quite distinctive and are an integral part of both the religious and cultural heritage of Ethiopia. They are known for their intricate...
About the Image: Ethiopian handheld crosses, often referred to as "processional crosses," have a rich history and are distinct in their design and cultural significance. Let's delve deeper: Design and Material: * The intricate lattice-like design is characteristic of Ethiopian crosses. Each design pattern, though sharing...
About the Image: The image is a remarkable piece of Ethiopian Christian art. Depicting the Crucifixion, it originates from the first half of the 16th century during the Stephanite period. Ethiopian Christian art is distinct in its style and iconography, often integrating local traditions and interpretations. Let's delve...
About the Image: Christianity most likely arrived in Ethiopia in the first century. The conversion of King Ezana in 330 c.e. led to its official acceptance and the minting of coins bearing one of the earliest uses of the cross as a Christian symbol. Although the silver pendant crosses...
About the Image: [Translation] A picture of the Mother of Our Lord and His Disciple John, whom he loved, as they stood beneath the cross. May their prayers protect us. Amen. This large Ethiopian Gospel Book was made in the first half of the sixteenth century and is written in...
Details: This large Ethiopian Gospel Book was made in the first half of the sixteenth century and is written in Ge'ez, the traditional liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Containing eleven full-page miniatures, six canon tables, and five elaborately ornamented harags, or headpieces, this manuscript represents...
Details: In this full-page portrait, John the Evangelist is depicted as having already copied John 1:1-2. It is a leaf from a large Ethiopian Gospel Book that was made in the first half of the sixteenth century and is written in Gǝ‛ǝz, the traditional liturgical language...
Details: The Evangelist is depicted as having already copied Lk. 1:1-2. This large Ethiopian Gospel Book was made in the first half of the sixteenth century and is written in Ge'ez, the traditional liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Containing eleven full-page miniatures, six...
This large Ethiopian Gospel Book was made in the first half of the sixteenth century and is written in Ge'ez, the traditional liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Containing eleven full-page miniatures, six canon tables, and five elaborately ornamented harags, or headpieces, this manuscript represents the...
Details: This large Ethiopian Gospel Book was made in the first half of the sixteenth century and is written in Ge'ez, the traditional liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Containing eleven full-page miniatures, six canon tables, and five elaborately ornamented harags, or headpieces, this manuscript represents...
Details: Betre Mariam Monastery is located on the Zege Peninsula, which is situated on the southern shore of Lake Tana in Ethiopia[1]. The monastery was founded by Abune Betre Mariam, one of the "seven stars" who were pioneers in evangelizing the Lake Tana region. He founded Mehal...
Details: This large Ethiopian Gospel Book was made in the first half of the sixteenth century and is written in Ge'ez, the traditional liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Containing eleven full-page miniatures, six canon tables, and five elaborately ornamented harags, or headpieces, this manuscript represents...
Details: The Betremariam Monastery is located on the Zege Peninsula near Bahir Dar, Ethiopia[1][3]. It was founded in the 14th century by a saint called Betre Mariam[2], and its circular church was built in the 16th century[2]. The monastery is one of more than 20 monastic...
Details: This large Ethiopian Gospel Book was made in the first half of the sixteenth century and is written in Ge'ez, the traditional liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Containing eleven full-page miniatures, six canon tables, and five elaborately ornamented harags, or headpieces, this manuscript represents...
Details: The Magi and the Shepherds are two separate groups of people mentioned in the Bible in relation to Jesus' birth. The Magi, also known as the Wise Men, were wealthy foreigners who followed a star to find Jesus[1][2]. The Shepherds were local shepherds who were visited...
