{"product_id":"ethiopian-orthodox-illuminated-prayer-book-manuscript-c-18th-century","title":"Ethiopian Orthodox Illuminated Prayer Book Manuscript C. 18th Century","description":"\u003ch1 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverview:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTitle:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Ethiopian Orthodox Prayer Book\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Circa 18th–19th Century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Ethiopia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Ge'ez (Classical Ethiopic)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReligion:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Christianity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Manuscript on parchment\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIllustrations:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Two full-page religious illustrations and an ornamental cross\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBinding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Wooden boards with exposed traditional Ethiopian-style sewing; rebound or resewn at a later date\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDescription\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn attractive Ethiopian Orthodox devotional manuscript, handwritten in Ge'ez on parchment, provisionally dated to the 18th or 19th century.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe manuscript is written in the traditional Ethiopic script, with black lettering and red rubrication highlighting significant passages and liturgical elements. The text is accompanied by two colourful full-page religious illustrations and an ornamental cross, reflecting the distinctive artistic traditions of Ethiopian Christianity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe first illustration depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, surrounded by angels. The second portrays a mounted warrior saint, probably Saint George, confronting a serpent-like creature. Both illustrations employ characteristic Ethiopian iconography, with expressive facial features, prominent halos, and vibrant red, yellow, blue, and black pigments.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn additional decorated page features a cross surrounded by religious inscriptions and symbolic motifs, possibly associated with devotional or protective prayers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe manuscript's precise textual contents have not yet been established, although its illustrations and presentation suggest a collection of Ethiopian Orthodox prayers or devotional readings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Background\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEthiopia possesses one of the world's oldest continuous Christian traditions, with Christianity becoming established in the Kingdom of Aksum during the fourth century.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor centuries, Ethiopian monasteries and religious communities preserved Christian literature through the production of handwritten manuscripts, frequently using parchment prepared from animal skins.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGe'ez, the classical liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, remained central to this tradition long after it ceased to be widely spoken.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEthiopian religious manuscripts are particularly celebrated for their distinctive illustrations, elaborate crosses, and traditional binding techniques. Their artistic conventions developed independently of many European traditions, creating a recognisable style of Christian manuscript illumination.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBinding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBound between wooden boards with an exposed spine and four sewing stations, following traditional Ethiopian bookbinding techniques.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe manuscript appears to have been rebound or resewn at an undetermined date, with greenish-yellow sewing thread securing the parchment gatherings directly to the wooden boards.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe binding retains the characteristic appearance of Ethiopian manuscript construction, although its present form should not be assumed to be contemporary with the text.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe manuscript contains several later handwritten annotations in blue and purple ink, including Ge'ez inscriptions and decorative penwork.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA partially legible German-language library stamp, beginning \"Bibliothek Schö...\", appears on one of the preliminary leaves, suggesting previous European institutional or private ownership.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe precise identity of the library has not been established.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGood antiquarian condition overall, with age-related wear consistent with a historical parchment manuscript.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe parchment exhibits toning, occasional staining, surface discolouration, and handling marks. Some leaves show minor edge wear and irregularities typical of handmade parchment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe religious illustrations retain their distinctive colours, with some rubbing and pigment wear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLater annotations and ownership markings are present on the preliminary leaves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe wooden boards exhibit surface wear and minor abrasions. The manuscript has been rebound or resewn at an undetermined date, with the exposed sewing remaining visible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA distinctive example of Ethiopian Christian manuscript production, combining traditional Ge'ez calligraphy, colourful religious illustrations, and historic devotional imagery.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight - 141g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight - 9.5cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWidth - 6.5cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThickness - 3cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Momo Rare Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55673465110867,"sku":null,"price":900.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0953\/9187\/5411\/files\/IMG_9778.jpg?v=1793281021","url":"https:\/\/www.momorarebooks.co.uk\/products\/ethiopian-orthodox-illuminated-prayer-book-manuscript-c-18th-century","provider":"Momo Rare Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}