Double sided diptych pendent

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 Double Diptych Icon Pendant, Wood, tempera pigment, string, Amhara or Tigrinya peoples

This pendent has four sides with images painted on them. The images painted contain religious material that relate to Christian subject matter. The main panel of the jewelry shows the Virgin Mary holding baby Christ, while sitting, looking at the viewer. Surrounding them are Archangels holding swords. The styles of the icons have think bold lines and clean coloring. The Christ child is looking at the Virgin Mary with love in his eyes while holding the Book of the Gospel. The child is also gesturing of benediction with his hand. On the outer panel, which is the interior of the cover, Saint George is riding horseback while slaying a dragon. Because Saint George and the Virgin Mary Saints are displayed together on this diptych pendent, is shows the very close relationship between these two saints. They have a close relationship because Saint George was a soldier of God and the Virgin Mary’s constant companion. Seeing these religious icons together in art was very popular in Ethiopian religious paintings. Now, on the opposite panel of Saint George represents the Crucifixion. The Saint John and the Virgin Mary are standing on the sides of Christ on the cross. There is sadness in their expressions seeing Jesus crucified. Lastly, on the fourth and outer panel illustrates the resurrection. Christ raises the small figures of Adam and Eve by their arms. This is to display the triumph of Christ’s comeback from death.

The double-sided diptychs pendent became very popular with Ethiopian art in the seventeenth century. They were so well known because of the nobility and the representation of religion icons. The subject matter and the art were pleasing and people were more than happy to wear the pendants. Also, they were convenient to have around with the cord that came with them to hang around the neck.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/317829

 


Comments

  1. Ashley MOctober 30, 2020 at 8:38 PM

    Great description. I would not have noticed the dragon if you hadn't mentioned it. It's very detailed for its size as well. I'm assuming it's small because it is a pendent. This piece is comparable to the medieval paintings in Europe where the Christ is depicted as a homunculus. The fact that the the European icons are fair skinned and the African icons are dark skinned speaks to our desire to relate to the divine. I always want to describe these types of paintings as colorful, but that is really not the case. The artist has used a limited palette, but made it "colorful" by being bold with what he has.

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