Details
TWO ETHIOPIC MAGIC SCROLLS, in Ge'ez, DECORATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM
[Ethiopia, mid- and late 19th-century]
The first, approximately 1870 x 190mm. 3 membranes, text written in black and red ink in two and three columns in a neat traditional hand, with three illustrations: Guardian angel; Seal of Solomon; guardian angel, coloured in yellow, red and blue. The text opens in the first column with a prayer for the undoing of charms (mäftehé seray); in the second column with a prayer for the drowning of demons (mäst'emä aganent), with a prayer against haemorrhage. The third column contains 'a prayer against stomach cramps'; with harägawi fidäl or magical letters, and the female owner's name, Wälättä S'eyon (some staining and wear, particularly affecting opening image.)
An impressive scroll, remarkable for its size and three columns of text.
The second, approximately 2040 x 110mm, 3 membranes, text written in red and black ink in a neat traditional hand in two columns, 3 illustrations: Guardian angel; Seal of Solomon; diagram of a cross, in brown, green and purple wash (edges browned, some wear). The text opens with a prayer against the evil eye and various evil spirits: aynä barya, légäewon, elgwem, däsk, s'ella and 'gi'. The female owner's name appears in the trapezoidal shape above the cross Wälättä Sellasé (some browning and wear at edges, particularly to head and foot of scroll).
An attractive scroll, with a neat hand and skilfully drawn illustrations.
Protective amulet scrolls carry magic formulas and prayers for protection against the Evil Eye, malevolent spirits and physical ailments. These spells are in textual and figural form; the majority of such scrolls feature a guardian angel, and contain a diagram of a face within an 8-pointed star set within a grid of 9 squares -- in varying forms, this represents the Seal of Solomon, used to scare away demons. Scrolls intended for women usually include invocations to Saint Susenyos, called upon for protection against Werzelya, a malicious female spirit. (2)
[Ethiopia, mid- and late 19th-century]
The first, approximately 1870 x 190mm. 3 membranes, text written in black and red ink in two and three columns in a neat traditional hand, with three illustrations: Guardian angel; Seal of Solomon; guardian angel, coloured in yellow, red and blue. The text opens in the first column with a prayer for the undoing of charms (mäftehé seray); in the second column with a prayer for the drowning of demons (mäst'emä aganent), with a prayer against haemorrhage. The third column contains 'a prayer against stomach cramps'; with harägawi fidäl or magical letters, and the female owner's name, Wälättä S'eyon (some staining and wear, particularly affecting opening image.)
An impressive scroll, remarkable for its size and three columns of text.
The second, approximately 2040 x 110mm, 3 membranes, text written in red and black ink in a neat traditional hand in two columns, 3 illustrations: Guardian angel; Seal of Solomon; diagram of a cross, in brown, green and purple wash (edges browned, some wear). The text opens with a prayer against the evil eye and various evil spirits: aynä barya, légäewon, elgwem, däsk, s'ella and 'gi'. The female owner's name appears in the trapezoidal shape above the cross Wälättä Sellasé (some browning and wear at edges, particularly to head and foot of scroll).
An attractive scroll, with a neat hand and skilfully drawn illustrations.
Protective amulet scrolls carry magic formulas and prayers for protection against the Evil Eye, malevolent spirits and physical ailments. These spells are in textual and figural form; the majority of such scrolls feature a guardian angel, and contain a diagram of a face within an 8-pointed star set within a grid of 9 squares -- in varying forms, this represents the Seal of Solomon, used to scare away demons. Scrolls intended for women usually include invocations to Saint Susenyos, called upon for protection against Werzelya, a malicious female spirit. (2)
Special notice
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