Altar Item Number: 3416/5 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Wooden double triptych altar, or icon, with paintings inside. Rectangular in shape with tiered feet protruding from the bottom corners. Designs carved on front and back of altar, including interlocking lines, abstract crosses, and an archangel. The archangel is on the back of the altar, with its head and wing tips visible from the front. It is carved in high relief and is holding an upraised sword in its right hand and a staff in its left. There are dot motifs throughout the archangel’s robes. Written characters are carved in high relief in the bottom left corner. Two sets of hinged doors on the front side, secured with string, open outward, with paintings on them and the altar interior. Two panels on each door for both sections. In the top section there are two long paintings on the altar interior, in the bottom section there are two columns of two paintings. The background is done in orange and yellow. Plain black lines divide each panel, with written characters, also in black, in each panel. All figures in the panels wear plain robes, done in red-orange, blue, light green, white and grey. The images of Christ and the Virgin Mary have halos of orange and yellow painted around their heads.
History Of Use
This portable icon, carved in the form of an archangel holding a sword and a staff, comprises a double triptych. The upper paintings begin with a scene from the combat between Saint George and the dragon, and then depict Christ’s birth and flight from Egypt. The bottom panels portray Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.
Item History
- Made in Aksum, Ethiopia during 1950
- Owned by Kazuhiko Komatsu before December 18, 2019
- Received from Kazuhiko Komatsu (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Acquisitions Budget (Funding source) on December 18, 2019
What
Who
- Culture
- Ethiopian
- Previous Owner
- Kazuhiko Komatsu
- Received from
- Kazuhiko Komatsu (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Acquisitions Budget (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Aksum, Ethiopia
When
- Creation Date
- during 1950
- Ownership Date
- before December 18, 2019
- Acquisition Date
- on December 18, 2019
Other
- Item Classes
- paintings
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 3416/0005