PLATE I

A black and white reproduction of an Ethiopian manuscript illumination. In the center, an oval mandorla An almond-shaped frame used in religious art to enclose holy figures. contains a figure representing God Almighty (Ancient of Days), depicted with a beard and a cruciform halo A halo containing the shape of a cross, typically used to identify the persons of the Trinity.. He is holding a book and raising his right hand in a gesture of blessing. Surrounding the central figure are four large, cross-shaped structures. Each structure consists of four winged heads representing the "living creatures" Commonly known as the Tetramorph, these represent the four Evangelists: Matthew (human), Mark (lion), Luke (ox), and John (eagle).: humans at the top left, eagles at the top right, felines or lions at the bottom left, and oxen at the bottom right. The entire composition is enclosed within a thick, rectangular border of interlaced knotwork. At the base of the image, below the main scene, are three rectangular panels containing grid patterns.

Ancient of Days: A title used for God in the Book of Daniel, usually representing Him as an eternal, venerable figure.
Living Creatures: Celestial beings described in the prophetic visions of Ezekiel and Revelation, traditionally associated with the four Gospels.
Mandorla: An Italian word for "almond," referring to the almond-shaped radiance surrounding a holy figure in Christian art.