PRAYERS TO THE VIRGIN MARY, in Ge'ez, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM Ethiopia, second half of 19th Century 117 x 70mm. 125 leaves: 1 5, 2-5 1 0, 6 1 1 (of 12, viii lacking), 7 1 0, 8 1 4(ii singleton with miniature, vi lacking), 9 1 0, 8 8, 9 1 2, 10 1 0, 11 6; 14 lines written in black ink in a neat traditional hand between two scored verticals and 14 horizontals, prickings visible in outer margins, justification: 75 x 50mm, titles and rubrics in red, with FIVE hargs in black and red, decorated with faces of guardian angels, profile-heads, arches and floral motifs; SIX FULL-PAGE MINIATURES, coloured in blue, red and green, one with protective curtain of cotton, later annotations in pencil (wormholes to ff.1-2, first gathering partially detached, f.116r&v with remnants of western prints pasted in); blind-stamped brown leather on wooden boards, with mirror inset inside upper cover, housed in two interlocking brown leather cases (inner case blind-stamped) joined by carrying strap (worm holes to binding). PROVENANCE: The name Berhan Msql has been inserted over the name of the original owner. CONTENT: Prayers, predominantly dedicated to the Virgin Mary ff.6-67v; Slams [hymns] to the Virgin Mary, to the Trinity, to St George and to St Michael, ff.69-117; calculations relating to saints' days, feast days and phases of the moon; additional prayers and calculations in a later hand ILLUMINATION: The subjects of the miniatures are as follows: f.2v St George and the Dragon f.3 Virgin Mary with archangels and the Holy Spirit f.3v Virgin Mary accompanied by angels f.4 Two malefactors, in profile, riding a camel f.68 Virgin and Child with supporting archangels holding a cloth of honour f.68v St Gbr Mnfs Qeddus, with accompanying leopards and lions f.2 with drawings of an elephant and cockerels An extremely attractive religious manuscript for private devotional use, with vividly coloured and striking miniatures together with unusually elaborate harg borders filling both upper and outer margins. The engaging miniature of Saint Gbr Mnfs Qeddus ('Servant of the Holy Spirit', one of the most important Ethiopian saints, known for his taming of wild animals) depicts the saint in a hair-covered garment, presumably representing his attribute, the long beard and head of hair which grew to cover his nakedness. He is frequently depicted with his accompanying leopards and lions, who in this representation are arranged in a pleasing design around the saint's feet.
PRAYERS TO THE VIRGIN MARY, in Ge'ez, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM Ethiopia, second half of 19th Century 117 x 70mm. 125 leaves: 1 5, 2-5 1 0, 6 1 1 (of 12, viii lacking), 7 1 0, 8 1 4(ii singleton with miniature, vi lacking), 9 1 0, 8 8, 9 1 2, 10 1 0, 11 6; 14 lines written in black ink in a neat traditional hand between two scored verticals and 14 horizontals, prickings visible in outer margins, justification: 75 x 50mm, titles and rubrics in red, with FIVE hargs in black and red, decorated with faces of guardian angels, profile-heads, arches and floral motifs; SIX FULL-PAGE MINIATURES, coloured in blue, red and green, one with protective curtain of cotton, later annotations in pencil (wormholes to ff.1-2, first gathering partially detached, f.116r&v with remnants of western prints pasted in); blind-stamped brown leather on wooden boards, with mirror inset inside upper cover, housed in two interlocking brown leather cases (inner case blind-stamped) joined by carrying strap (worm holes to binding). PROVENANCE: The name Berhan Msql has been inserted over the name of the original owner. CONTENT: Prayers, predominantly dedicated to the Virgin Mary ff.6-67v; Slams [hymns] to the Virgin Mary, to the Trinity, to St George and to St Michael, ff.69-117; calculations relating to saints' days, feast days and phases of the moon; additional prayers and calculations in a later hand ILLUMINATION: The subjects of the miniatures are as follows: f.2v St George and the Dragon f.3 Virgin Mary with archangels and the Holy Spirit f.3v Virgin Mary accompanied by angels f.4 Two malefactors, in profile, riding a camel f.68 Virgin and Child with supporting archangels holding a cloth of honour f.68v St Gbr Mnfs Qeddus, with accompanying leopards and lions f.2 with drawings of an elephant and cockerels An extremely attractive religious manuscript for private devotional use, with vividly coloured and striking miniatures together with unusually elaborate harg borders filling both upper and outer margins. The engaging miniature of Saint Gbr Mnfs Qeddus ('Servant of the Holy Spirit', one of the most important Ethiopian saints, known for his taming of wild animals) depicts the saint in a hair-covered garment, presumably representing his attribute, the long beard and head of hair which grew to cover his nakedness. He is frequently depicted with his accompanying leopards and lions, who in this representation are arranged in a pleasing design around the saint's feet.
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
