Ethiopian Vellum Manuscript of Talismanic Texts. 19th-20th century A.D. Comprising forty bound leaves written in Amharic, featuring 'spectacle scripts', small drawings of the Christ's passion, Salomon's seal, Moses snakes and Patriarchal staff, and other drawings of a double-headed serpent; preserved in the original pouch with bindings. Cf. Smidt, W., Dege, S., 'Tälsäm' in Encyclopedia Ethiopica, IV, Hamburg, 2011, pp.850-852, figs.1-2, for similar. 168 grams, 16.3 x 10.5 cm (6 3/8 x 4 1/8 in.). [No Reserve] From a Brighton bookseller, circa 2000. This particular object is sometimes referred to as a talisman or amulet, and also known as a ketãb (document) or metshaf (book). It was used in Ethiopia by priests and common people, not only intended for reading but also for providing protection. It was worn with a rope around the neck or shoulders of the owner.