Ethiopia: Orthodox travel icon, diptych. Coptic. Bound with embossed leather. Circa 1950. - Ethiopia (No reserve price)

• Right panel (Carrying the Cross): Jesus Christ with a halo carries the heavy wooden cross on the way to Golgotha. He is followed by a group of people (Roman soldiers / onlookers). Above the cross, in the upper, winged compartment, a protective angel hovers (head with wings).
• Left panel (Resurrection / Ascension): Christ stands as triumphant Savior in the center and shows the blessing gesture. He is flanked by witnesses, who partly sit on cloud benches (often interpreted as apostles or prophets). Also here an angel crowns the upper compartment.
• Back: The wooden panels are, as suspected, completely covered with brown leather. It shows a surrounding geometric blind embossing (stamp and punch work) with small cross and diamond motifs.
The icon originates from the northern and central highlands of Ethiopia.
M: 29.5 x 16 cm (open)