Double Diptych Icon Pendant
- Artist Culture
- Amhara artist,
Tigrinya artist - Date
- late 17th century
- Material
- Wood, tempera pigment, fiber
- made in
- Eastern Africa, Ethiopia, Africa
- Classification
- Jewelry & personal accessories, paintings
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 102
- Dimensions
- closed: 3 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 1/2 in. (9.5 x 7 x 1.3 cm)
open: 3 3/4 x 4 5/8 x 1/2 in. (9.5 x 11.7 x 1.3 cm) - Credit Line
- Gift of Marilyn Heldman in memory of Louis Gilden
- Rights
- Contact Us
- Object Number
- 12:2016
NOTES
Like a locket, this artwork served a public and private role for its owner. Worn suspended from the neck, the pendant’s incised crosses on the outside of the small doors proclaimed Christian identity and served indigenous beliefs for deflecting harm. Behind each closed door, vibrantly colored scenes inspired moments of personal prayer and contemplation. On one side, St. George slays a dragon opposite Mary and Jesus. On the other side, the Crucifixion appears opposite two historical Ethiopian saints. Gabra Manfas Qeddus (died c.1400), appearing with a lion and wearing a cloak made from his own hair, was a hermit and ascetic especially gifted with animals. Abuna Ewostatewos (c.1273–1352), bearing a long beard and handheld cross, founded monasteries in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. Christianity in Ethiopia dates to the 4th century.
Provenance
- 1966
Ato Walga Mehretu, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia [1]
1966
Dr. Elizabeth Dorothea Hecht and Girma Fisseha, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, purchased from Ato Walga Mehretu [2]
1966 - 2016
Marilyn Heldman, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Silver Spring, MD, USA, received as gift from Dr. Elisabeth Dorothea Hecht and Girma Fisseha [3]
- 2016
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Marilyn Heldman in memory of Louis Gilden [4]
Notes:
[1] Ato Walga Mehretu was a dealer of Ethiopian art living in Addis Ababa [Macomber, William F. "A Catalogue of Ethiopian Manuscripts” Ethiopian Manuscript Microfilm Library Vol. 1. Collegeville, MN: Saint John's University, 1975, p.27-28; Mercier, Jacques and I. Mercier. “Les Peintures des Rouleaux Protecteurs Ethiopiens” Journal of Ethiopian Studies Vol. 12, No. 2, Institute of Ethiopian Studies, 1974, p.107].
[2] In a December 3, 2015 conversation and April 21, 2016 email, Marilyn Heldman stated to Nichole Bridges that Dr. Hecht and Girma Fisseha purchased the object from Ato Walga Mehretu. They then gifted it to her in 1966 [notes from conversation and copy of email in SLAM document files].
[3] See Note [2].
[4] A Deed of Gift dated May 18, 2016 documents the gift of this object to the Saint Louis Art Museum [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Collections Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, May 19, 2016.
Ato Walga Mehretu, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia [1]
1966
Dr. Elizabeth Dorothea Hecht and Girma Fisseha, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, purchased from Ato Walga Mehretu [2]
1966 - 2016
Marilyn Heldman, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Silver Spring, MD, USA, received as gift from Dr. Elisabeth Dorothea Hecht and Girma Fisseha [3]
- 2016
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Marilyn Heldman in memory of Louis Gilden [4]
Notes:
[1] Ato Walga Mehretu was a dealer of Ethiopian art living in Addis Ababa [Macomber, William F. "A Catalogue of Ethiopian Manuscripts” Ethiopian Manuscript Microfilm Library Vol. 1. Collegeville, MN: Saint John's University, 1975, p.27-28; Mercier, Jacques and I. Mercier. “Les Peintures des Rouleaux Protecteurs Ethiopiens” Journal of Ethiopian Studies Vol. 12, No. 2, Institute of Ethiopian Studies, 1974, p.107].
[2] In a December 3, 2015 conversation and April 21, 2016 email, Marilyn Heldman stated to Nichole Bridges that Dr. Hecht and Girma Fisseha purchased the object from Ato Walga Mehretu. They then gifted it to her in 1966 [notes from conversation and copy of email in SLAM document files].
[3] See Note [2].
[4] A Deed of Gift dated May 18, 2016 documents the gift of this object to the Saint Louis Art Museum [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Collections Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, May 19, 2016.