Click Here for New Arrivals! Ethiopian artist have produced a unique body of church murals, manuscript miniatures and panel paintings on wood. The existence of paintings on wood is a comparatively recent discovery. It is only recently that the icons preserved in churches and monasteries over the past five centuries have come to light, revealing a new dimension of Christian art in Africa. It is believed that the art of panel painting ‘se’el’, was introduced into Ethiopia towards the middle of the 15th century. Scholars credit King Zar’a Ya’eqob (1434-68) with the encouragement of icon production out of his particular devotion to the Virgin Mary. These painted panels depicting a wide variety of sacred images have been used for devotional purposes. They may be properly termed icons in the sense that they are believed to be permeated with the spiritual presence of the saints. Prayers made to an icon are believed to be directly offered to a specific saint or to the Virgin Mary herself. The themes and forms of religious paintings in Ethiopia have been handed down from one generation of painters to another by training and local tradition. This accounts for the remarkable continuity that has been maintained for centuries. The icon can elicit either a blessing on the righteous or punishment to wrong-doers. Icons are reputed to have spoken to members of the laity as well as to clergy. In the book of Miracles of Mary, six narratives refer to the Virgins’ miraculous icons and the supplicants who prayed before them are said to have their requests granted. The power to cure sickness was also attributed to icons and it is maintained that they were even impervious to damage by water! The faithful often commissioned large icons with the intention of obtaining Gods’ mercy as well as the protection and intercession of the Virgin Mary. From the 17th century onwards it appears that the practice of taking oath before an icon became relatively common. In addition to their ceremonial function, the use of icons as the object of private worship and invocation became widespread. Icons bearing the images of equestrian martyr saints were also particularly favored Please click photo for enlargement! See another photo and Order button below. Sold When OFFLINE click button to leave a message!
Dimensions: closed 6 1/2 inches wide x 9 1/2 inches tall. Wt: 3 lbs. **For a complete inventory listing please go to the 'Index' section on the Navigation Bar to your right** |
|
| Please click photo for enlargement! |
|
|
| Please click here for new arrivals. |
|
|
| Please click here for exclusive high grade selections. |
|