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Details
ETHIOPIC MAGIC SCROLL of Qäññazmach Märägde Mika'el, in Ge'ez, PAINTED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM
[Ethiopia, late 18th or early 19th century]
2053 x 124mm, three vellum membranes, written in three columns in a traditional hand in black and red ink, with four illustrations drawn in black ink and painted with blue and terracotta bodycolour and wash, touches of yellow wash. The four illustrated panels divide the text into three sections, with a central square inserted into the middle
(slight rubbing at edges). Framed.
This protective magic scroll was made for Qäññazmach Märägde Mika'el, a nobleman and military commander. He is named throughout and depicted, and identified, in the panel at the top of the scroll as a horizontal figure shown below Solomon, shown crowned before a cloth of honour. The text of the scroll comprises an extensively expanded version of The Prayer of Moses where events, both biblical and apocryphal, from the life of Moses are rehearsed, and supplication is repeatedly made for the protection of Märägde from enemies, demons, magicians, spell-casters and shape-changers. Two of the other illustrations show equestrian saints triumphant; in one case over four dark-faced, red-capped men and in the other over a serpent/dragon. The third panel is divided into two, and shows on the left and, as is customary for villains, in profile ranked military forces armed with guns and spears, and on the right, the forces of good -- a priest holding sistrum and prayerstick and surrounded by his acolytes. The strong militaristic element in the illustration may well be a reflection of Märägde's role in the contemporary conflict with the Ottoman Turks -- they may be the dark-faced capped men imprisoned by one of the equestrian saints. As Moses defeated Pharoah's armies at the shores of the Red Sea, so he is invoked to assist Märägde.
The square section inserted in the very centre of the scroll serves as an enclosure containing magic names and the name of the owner -- three of the entrances are guarded by the archangels Kirubel, Michael and Gabriel. The prayer concludes by calling 'By the eternal kingdom to save his children from generation to generation. Save them from utter darkness and alarm and from the devil by the flesh of the only Son of God. Save him from hell. Save thy servant Märägde Mika'el for there is nothing that God cannot do.'
Datable on the grounds of style and dress to the late 18th or early 19th century this scroll is exceptional in format, colour and the complexity of its illustration. Magic scrolls were often rolled up and worn as amulets; with its strong combative overtones, it is tempting to think that this one may have been carried into battle to provide its bearer and owner with talismanic protection.
[Ethiopia, late 18th or early 19th century]
2053 x 124mm, three vellum membranes, written in three columns in a traditional hand in black and red ink, with four illustrations drawn in black ink and painted with blue and terracotta bodycolour and wash, touches of yellow wash. The four illustrated panels divide the text into three sections, with a central square inserted into the middle
(slight rubbing at edges). Framed.
This protective magic scroll was made for Qäññazmach Märägde Mika'el, a nobleman and military commander. He is named throughout and depicted, and identified, in the panel at the top of the scroll as a horizontal figure shown below Solomon, shown crowned before a cloth of honour. The text of the scroll comprises an extensively expanded version of The Prayer of Moses where events, both biblical and apocryphal, from the life of Moses are rehearsed, and supplication is repeatedly made for the protection of Märägde from enemies, demons, magicians, spell-casters and shape-changers. Two of the other illustrations show equestrian saints triumphant; in one case over four dark-faced, red-capped men and in the other over a serpent/dragon. The third panel is divided into two, and shows on the left and, as is customary for villains, in profile ranked military forces armed with guns and spears, and on the right, the forces of good -- a priest holding sistrum and prayerstick and surrounded by his acolytes. The strong militaristic element in the illustration may well be a reflection of Märägde's role in the contemporary conflict with the Ottoman Turks -- they may be the dark-faced capped men imprisoned by one of the equestrian saints. As Moses defeated Pharoah's armies at the shores of the Red Sea, so he is invoked to assist Märägde.
The square section inserted in the very centre of the scroll serves as an enclosure containing magic names and the name of the owner -- three of the entrances are guarded by the archangels Kirubel, Michael and Gabriel. The prayer concludes by calling 'By the eternal kingdom to save his children from generation to generation. Save them from utter darkness and alarm and from the devil by the flesh of the only Son of God. Save him from hell. Save thy servant Märägde Mika'el for there is nothing that God cannot do.'
Datable on the grounds of style and dress to the late 18th or early 19th century this scroll is exceptional in format, colour and the complexity of its illustration. Magic scrolls were often rolled up and worn as amulets; with its strong combative overtones, it is tempting to think that this one may have been carried into battle to provide its bearer and owner with talismanic protection.
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