Substantial Ethiopian Christian manuscriptGe’ez on parchment · traditional binding

18th–19th centuryParchmentBlack and red inkTraditional binding

A substantial Ethiopian Christian manuscript written by hand on parchment, with black and red ink and a traditional leather-covered wooden-board binding.

Date: 18th–19th century, cautiously
Dimensions: 19 × 17.5 × 9.8 cm
Language: Probably Ge’ez · one and two columns
Provenance: Unknown

Price

CHF 2’960

Status

Available as is

Sold with its known defects. Page count, order and textual completeness are not guaranteed.

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Bibliographical description

A powerful manuscript object, described without overclaiming.

The text is probably liturgical and may include a Psalter, but it has not been identified as a complete Bible. No illustration or dated colophon has been found.

The first and last written leaves and the fore-edge have been documented. The piece is offered as a material and devotional witness rather than as a fully decoded text.

The copy in detail

A faithful presentation of the object.

The main view has been isolated on an ivory background for a consistent presentation. The unedited documentary photographs remain the reference for the text, condition, defects and structure.

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The original views show the item exactly as photographed, including hands used to support certain leaves.

Traditional leather binding — Front binding

First photographed opening of the Ethiopian manuscript — Fidel script in black and red

Second opening of the parchment manuscript — Browned parchment and liturgical text

Opening showing several gatherings — Gathering structure

Manuscript opening with red rubrication — Red rubrics

Opening showing worn passages and old repairs — Visible wear and repairs

Endpaper and old reinforcement in the Ethiopian binding — Sewn endpaper and fragile structure

Last photographed opening of the manuscript — Final photographed opening

First identified written page with black text and red rubrics — First identified written page

Last identified written page arranged in two columns — Last identified written page

Fore-edge showing numerous irregular parchment leaves — Fore-edge, thickness and leaf structure

Condition and checks

A rare survival requiring extremely careful handling.

Structure

The book block is largely detached from the binding; sewing and gatherings are fragile.

Parchment

Browned, cockled, stained and abraded, with old repairs and handling wear.

Legal care

Provenance and cultural-property checks will be completed before any international transfer.

FOLIA MUNDI · Documented expertise

Available in its present condition, with all known uncertainties stated.

A viewing and further documentary photographs can be arranged before any commitment.

Make an acquisition request