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Psalter with canticles, Song of Songs and praises of the Virgin Mary

Manuscript
18th century-19th century (made)
Place of origin

150 leaves
Includes 18 coloured head-pieces.
According to the colophon, this manuscript was written at Maqdala by Aleka Zeneb, a secretary and friend of King Tewodros. Zeneb was also the historian and chronicler of King Tewodros.
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 central stamped pattern.
With a leather carrying case consisting of a rectangular container with flap, fitting inside a stitched leather pouch (MSL/1869/185/2). Inner container has strap inside for ease of removing manuscript. Long leather handle for carrying.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitlePsalter with canticles, Song of Songs and praises of the Virgin Mary
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Manuscript, Psalter with canticles, Song of Songs and praises of the Virgin Mary, Northern Ethiopia, 18th or 19th century.
Physical description
150 leaves
Includes 18 coloured head-pieces.
According to the colophon, this manuscript was written at Maqdala by Aleka Zeneb, a secretary and friend of King Tewodros. Zeneb was also the historian and chronicler of King Tewodros.
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 central stamped pattern.
With a leather carrying case consisting of a rectangular container with flap, fitting inside a stitched leather pouch (MSL/1869/185/2). Inner container has strap inside for ease of removing manuscript. Long leather handle for carrying.
Dimensions
  • Height: 21cm
  • Width: 14cm
Production typeUnique
Gallery label
(5 April 2018 - 30 June 2019)
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
Object history
From a church in Maqdala (Magdala) cf. Art Museum Registers. Purchased from W.H. Saunders in 1869.
Association
Associated object
Other numbers
  • 38041800153454 - NAL barcode
  • Drawer 26 - NAL Pressmark
  • 185-1869 - Previous number
Collection
Library number
MSL/1869/185/1

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Record createdSeptember 4, 2017
Record URL
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