15-17th Century Ethiopia Ge’ez Coptic Christian Vellum Manuscript Unopened - B

Description

For sale is this rare Ethiopian Coptic Christian biblical scroll manuscript that was carefully hand written and adorned on vellum. The scroll is written in Ethiopian Geez or Classical Ethiopic, an ancient South Semitic language of the Ethio-Semitic branch language believed to have been used as early as the 5th Century AD. Early bible translations in Geez, date back to the 6th century at least, making them one of the world's oldest Bible translations. This hand crafted scroll would have been used in Coptic Christian ceremonies, and often carried by an individual for protection and healing (worn around the neck as a pendant/amulet of sorts). This particular relic is believed to be a scriptural scroll, Psalter, or Prayer from Circa 15-17th Century or earlier.
Kristen Windmuller-Luna from the MetMuseum in New York City Writes:
“Ethiopian healing scrolls eliminate illness by purging evil spirits and demons from a sick person. Part of a larger healing ritual, the scrolls were commissioned by the illiterate to combat grave illnesses. While plant and animal medicines alleviate physical symptoms, the medicinal scrolls alleviate spiritual symptoms. ……. Ethiopian medicine and talismanic art drew from Christian and Muslim traditions, including Arabic-language protective scrolls, examples of which can be found in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum. Healing scrolls likely originated during the Aksumite empire (ca. 1st–8th centuries), with several million in use by the nineteenth century. Despite their prevalence, the scrolls have drawn the ire of both political and religious leaders. In the fifteenth century, the emperor Zar’a Ya‘eqob condemned the use of magical objects and diviners, harshly punishing those who relied upon them. While the Ethiopian Orthodox Church does not condone magical objects, scrolls are tolerated because they incorporate Christian texts. Healing scrolls served the same purpose that domestic icons fulfilled in other forms of Orthodox Christianity. Healing scrolls are written in Ge’ez, a 2,000-year-old indigenous Semitic language. Once the lingua franca of the Aksumite empire, Ge’ez is now the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Ethiopian magical literature—which includes healing scrolls—relies upon the invocation of the secret names of god (asmat). By mastering these many names, a däbtära or other priest can oblige God to aid his client. The scrolls’ prayers are composed of passages from Christian books that invoke these or other protective and curative words. Frequently used prayers protect against the evil eye (aynät), or capture demons. One such prayer—the Net of Solomon—recalls how King Solomon was said to have forced the king of the Demon-blacksmiths to reveal his evil spells. It is frequently accompanied by a talismanic design of an eight-pointed star, used to trap demons within its interlocking lines. Still other prayers act against malevolent spells. As in all Ge’ez manuscripts, prayers are written with carbon black ink, while the names of the holy Trinity and headings are written with red ink. The client’s name is added in red only after the scroll’s completion. The inks are sometimes enhanced with ritually powerful plants or sacrificial blood to increase their effectiveness. Only these two colors are necessary for a scroll to be effective.” (Citation: Windmuller-Luna, Kristen. “Ethiopian Healing Scrolls.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/heal/hd_heal.htm (April 2015)).
This piece came out of a private manuscript collection based in Oregon. It has since been on display in my personal collection. It is guaranteed authentic, and is an incredible piece. Overall it is in good condition. This piece is unopened and is still sealed inside it’s original leather case. Because it is unopened, the inside scroll’s condition is unknown. It might be brittle in places. Expect some light folds, lines, writing, stains, light tears, and other small blemishes from aging. This has been tightly wrapped in leather, keeping it safe from most of the possible environmental damage, however, it has still aged some from the years. This is an incredible piece and would make a great addition to any collection! Don’t pass it up!
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