African Ethiopian painting - 20th century battle scene

African Ethiopian painting brought to Italy by a diplomat during the Italian occupation of Ethiopia in the late 1930s. This tribal folk art depicts a battle scene, and the canvas is mounted on a parallelogram-shaped frame.
It is a large battle scene, with rural cottages at the center. Opposite each other stand two large ranks of soldiers armed with sabers and bayonets, as well as heavy artillery commanded by officials on horseback.

The canvas features inscriptions in Amharic, among which we can decipher "fitewrari habteghiorghis," probably referring to Habte Giyorgis, Ethiopia's Prime Minister from 1909 to 1927 (the year of his death).

The dimensions listed below refer to height and maximum width from the top left edge to the bottom right edge.

Dating back to the late 1930s. The canvas shows minimal tears and signs of wear, but restoration can be arranged.

The human figures are characterized by unrealistic proportions of the head and body and are depicted in static poses. This sense of stability makes the battle scene understandable and evocative.

One particularly fascinating aspect of Ethiopian art was its commitment to expressing objective truth, independent of time and space. Numbers are represented in what is considered their true, unchanging form. At the height of its stylistic perfection, Ethiopian art abandoned illusions of volume, depth, and perspective.

Luxurious antique furniture and accessories can be an excellent idea for decorating our interiors. Today, there is a growing number of enthusiasts of high-quality vintage items that possess a specific character and soul. This is a nod to history, the creation, and design of classic and timeless furniture. There are many different styles in antique furniture, each with its distinctive features.

Several key styles stand out among antique furniture. Eclectic furniture from the 19th century is associated with the beloved Biedermeier style. Its early 20th-century variants include neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis-Philippe style, and finally the English Victorian style. Toward the end of the century, these styles transitioned into pseudo styles of classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque.

Empire-style furniture dates from the late 18th to early 19th century, inspired by Napoleon’s reign. It features significant similarities and references to Roman and Greek ornamentation.
Classicist furniture reflects the Louis XVI style, which also strongly references ancient architecture. Noteworthy are antique products in Rococo and Louis XV styles. The next is Baroque, derived from the Portuguese "barocco"—meaning irregularly developed pearl. These were highly decorative pieces designed to radiate splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Selectively used materials emphasized the grandeur of these items.

Today, we can observe how much the Baroque style influenced modern classical furniture, which is designed with a strong resemblance to the historical period. An important style is Renaissance, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries and left a significant mark on furniture design. Renaissance furniture was quite heavy and massive, often using brown stains, cornices, sturdy bases, and reliefs. These products were quite distinctive but also opened new possibilities, such as the construction of cupboards and broadly speaking, chest furniture. They also reflected an interest in mythology and antiquity, with supports and legs taking animal forms.

Lion paws, eagle heads—these are common motifs in Renaissance style. Currently, many global brands reproduce furniture inspired by Italian and French creators, demonstrating admiration and respect for the history of the most beautiful Renaissance antiques. It’s important to remember that furniture production was perceived differently in each country, giving each style a unique character. This is especially important when searching for an exclusive antique suitable for your interior.