a handwritten coptic ethiopian bible

Ethiopia
19th century
30 leaves
8 x 11 cm. 3 cm thick

There is great aging throughout, with 4 gorgeous handpainted icons. Written in the Ethiopic (Ge'ez) script, a Semitic language that is no longer spoken, but is still used for liturgical and other religious purposes by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The subject of these "Bibles" are generally always Christian, but actual content varies. Precise dating of Ethiopian manuscripts is very difficult as scribes copied old monastic manuscripts using the same materials as had been used for centuries, and have been as old as the 14th century. This example is made in the traditional way with original vellum animal skin pages. It is faded, browned, stained and aged. It is bound in hand sewn and attached wooden boards, themselves stitched together by twine. The icons were probably applied later on, as well as the wooden boards. A majority of the text are incantations to protect the owner from supernatural forces. It is written in black and red. The red indicates sacred words spoken by the Savior. There are roughly 30 leaves/60 pages. If there is interest, I will provide other details/information available prior to purchase.

Antiques.co.uk Ref: 32K8MT86

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