African Zion: The Sacred Art of Ethiopia [Paperback]

Marilyn Heldman (Author), Stuart C. Munro-Hay (Author), Roderick Grierson (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 24, 1996

The art of highland Christian Ethiopia - with its icon paintings on wood, metal processional crosses, gold coins, and manuscripts - is largely unknown in the West. This book presents a survey of this art from the 4th to the 18th centuries, and addresses the function of art within Ethiopian society.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (July 24, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300059159
• ISBN-13: 978-0300059151
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #880,977 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the greatest illustrated book of ethiopian sacred art, September 22, 2006

By 

marcabru - See all my reviews

This review is from: African Zion: The Sacred Art of Ethiopia (Hardcover)

Ethiopia has one of the most unique and fascinating cultural histories in the world. Due to the isolation stemming from its high mountains and plateaus as well as by the advancing Moslem armies from 500 to 1500 AD, Ethiopia might be termed the Tibet of Africa. However in this case it is Christianity rather than Buddhism which became the binding force of its people. As a result, its art has a pronounced individuality in treating Christian themes and icons. But they possess an unworldly and overwhelming impact in their beauty and artistic integrity. The many color photos show the church painting, bronzework and book illustrations from 1200 to 1800 so the reader gets a vivid conception of the progression of style across the centuries. An essential book!