A highly detailed old 1950s Ethiopian Orthodox Christian double-sided wooden diptych icon, handmade in Ethiopia.

The icon carries different painted religious scenes on its two sides.

One side probably depicts St John the Baptist. One panel appears to show John accompanied by an angel, while the adjoining scene likely represents the martyrdom or beheading of St John the Baptist, with the saint kneeling before executioners or attendants. Because there is no confirmed inscription supplied identifying the figures, these identifications are presented as probable rather than absolute.

The other side contains two familiar Ethiopian Christian subjects: the Virgin Mary holding Christ and Saint George on horseback slaying the dragon.

Details

• Origin: Ethiopia
• Date: 1950s
• Type: Double-sided diptych
• Religion: Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity
• Material: Wood
• Handmade: Yes
• Closed dimensions: approx. 11 × 8 cm / 4.3 × 3.1 in
• Open width: approx. 15.5 cm / 6.1 in
• Subjects: Virgin Mary with Christ; Saint George slaying the dragon
• Probable additional subject: St John the Baptist and his martyrdom

The combination of multiple painted narratives and double-sided construction makes this an especially engaging collectible devotional object.