230340 - African Ethiopian coptic handpainted 4 Panel Wood Icon - Ethiopia.

Antique and Extremly Rare Ethiopia Coptic handpainted begin 20th century icon from the orthodox coptic Church in Ethiopia.

Size are; 20 cm high.

This antique icon was collected between 1950 and 1960 and ended up in my private collection in 1985.

This is a Hand Crafted Wood 4 Panel Ethiopian Coptic Altar Orthodox Icon. Painted on wood, these icons were used originally as bibles by itinerant priest spreading Christianity. The richly hued biblical paintings of Ethiopian Icons primarily illustrate scenes from the old testament. 

Until the middle of the 20th century, the paintings of Christian Ethiopia remained virtually unknown outside its borders. They are usually a collaboration between two types of artisans: the carver who makes the wood or stone case and a painter who draws upon a repertoire of biblical themes. 

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church believes that an icon is a point of meeting between heaven and earth, and that taken together it serves as a medium through which one receives the vision of the spiritual world.