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Service book, containing psalms, biblical hymns, Song of Songs and praises of the Virgin Mary, [17--]
Manuscript
18th century (made)
18th century (made)
| Place of origin |
150 leaves : parchment ; 21 x 14 cm.
Ms.
Includes 18 coloured head-pieces.
Title supplied by cataloguer.
Purchased from W.H. Saunders.
From a church in Maqdala (Magdala) cf. Art Museum Registers.
Red leather binding; fragments of striped textile inside covers. Seven recessed bands on spine. Upper and lower boards have borders with diagonal patterns, three fillets and centralstamped pattern.
With a leather carrying case consisting of inflexible rectangular container with flap, fitting inside a stitched leather pouch. Inner container has strap inside for ease of removing manuscript. Long leather handle for carrying.
Ms.
Includes 18 coloured head-pieces.
Title supplied by cataloguer.
Purchased from W.H. Saunders.
From a church in Maqdala (Magdala) cf. Art Museum Registers.
Red leather binding; fragments of striped textile inside covers. Seven recessed bands on spine. Upper and lower boards have borders with diagonal patterns, three fillets and centralstamped pattern.
With a leather carrying case consisting of inflexible rectangular container with flap, fitting inside a stitched leather pouch. Inner container has strap inside for ease of removing manuscript. Long leather handle for carrying.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Service book, containing psalms, biblical hymns, Song of Songs and praises of the Virgin Mary, [17--] |
| Brief description | Manuscript, Service book, containing psalms, biblical hymns, Song of Songs and praises of the Virgin Mary, Ethiopia, [17--]. |
| Physical description | 150 leaves : parchment ; 21 x 14 cm. Ms. Includes 18 coloured head-pieces. Title supplied by cataloguer. Purchased from W.H. Saunders. From a church in Maqdala (Magdala) cf. Art Museum Registers. Red leather binding; fragments of striped textile inside covers. Seven recessed bands on spine. Upper and lower boards have borders with diagonal patterns, three fillets and centralstamped pattern. With a leather carrying case consisting of inflexible rectangular container with flap, fitting inside a stitched leather pouch. Inner container has strap inside for ease of removing manuscript. Long leather handle for carrying. |
| Production type | Unique |
| Gallery label | Maqdala 1868 display, 5 April 2018 - 30 June 2019
Ethiopian manuscripts ｜ የኢትዮጵያ እጅ ጽሁፍ
Ethiopia (ኢትዮጵያ) is one of the world’s first Christian nations. The Kingdom of Aksum (አክሱም) in northern Ethiopia adopted the religion in around AD 330. These manuscripts are written in Ge’ez, the sacred language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The books contain prayers and hymns, while the protective scroll would have hung above its owner’s bed to ward off diseases and evil spirits. The manuscripts were first taken from the city of Gondar by Emperor Tewodros, who planned to build his own church at Maqdala. They were among the artefacts later seized by the British.
Service book and carrying-case ｜ የአገልግሎት መጸሀፍና ማህደር
Probably made in Gondar (ጎንደር), Ethiopia, 1700–1800
Parchment, with leather carrying-case
Purchased from W.H. Saunders
NAL: MSL/1869/185
At my church, the prayer book is written in Ge’ez and Amharic, and both are read by the Father. The beauty of handwritten words on handmade paper is not lost through age. I benefit from these long traditions that have served many Ethiopian generations.
- Almaz Tesfaye, V&A Estates Services, member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church
Sacred texts of Ethiopia date back to the 4th century AD, painstakingly transcribed and illuminated by monks and religious scholars on goatskin parchment. Some still exist today, unseen by public eyes in remote monasteries and churches of the ancient realm.
- Shango Baku, Rastafari actor, writer and activist
(5 April 2018 - 30 June 2019) |
| Association | |
| Associated object | 38041800156218 (Case) |
| Other numbers |
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| Collection | |
| Library number | MSL/1869/185 |
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| Record created | September 4, 2017 |
| Record URL |
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