1: An old ‘Bible’ of the Ethiopian Christian Church. Parchment leaves (animal skin) densely inscribed with black and red Ethiopian script on both. Probably in ‘Geez’, the language of the Ethiopian Church. With two colourful, full-page sacred scenes and one drawing. Bound between two book covers made of wood. Two original repairs: both wooden covers broken and ‘sewn’. The ‘Bibel’ is wrapped in a leather sleeve (with an old repair to the bottom) and carried in a leather bag with carrying straps (torn). Dimensions: 15 cm x 12 cm x 5 cm.
2: A small old ‘Bible’ or prayer book of the Ethiopian Christian Church. Parchment leaves (animal skin) inscribed with black and red Ethiopian script on both sides. Bound between two wooden covers. One cover broken and ‘sewn’ with an old original repair. Dimensions: 8.4 cm x 6.5 cm x 2 cm.
3: A ‘magic scroll’ belonging to a priest of the Ethiopian Christian Church. Used for the ritual healing of the sick. The role consists of parchment strips (animal skin) sewn together and inscribed with black and red Ethiopian script on one side. Probably in ‘Geez’, the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Church. A colourful depiction of the archangel Michael in vertical format embellishes the upper end of the ‘magic scroll’. During healing rituals, ‘magic scrolls’ such as the present one were placed on the patient’s body. L: 230 cm, W: c. 9 cm.
4: A neckrest of the Oromo (also called Galla) from Southcentral Ethiopia. Made of dark brown, hard wood, in typical form, ornamented with a décor of lines, zig-zag motifs and dots in relief. H: c. 17 cm, diameter: 12 cm (below).
5: A typical ‘Danakil dagger’ with sheath, from the tribes of the Afar and Issa in the Danakil Desert, in eastern Ethiopia. This ‘classical’ type of dagger (or shortsword) of the Afar and Issa features a double-edged, long, narrow, slightly angled iron blade, a wooden handle with two concave sides, and a round, conical finial at the bottom. A typical leather sheath with belt is enclosed.
All parts are original and in excellent condition! L: 49 cm.
All 5 objects from Ethiopia: Between the 19th and the first half of the 20th century. (ME)