A SCHOLAR'S LIBRARY: A COLLECTION OF MAGIC SCROLLS AND MANUSCRIPTS Ethiopia and Eritrea, 17th-early 20th century Comprising thirty scrolls and seven Guezze manuscripts of various sizes, including two scrolls folded lengthways, most reinforced at the head with a piece of leather and with cords. Of the seven manuscripts, two are accordion-bound, two have a soft leather binding and three have a Coptic-style wooden binding, one with a leather case. Of varying lengths, the widest scroll: 20 cm Source : French private collection of Mr M. (1934-2024) Then by descent to the current owner, private French collection A Rare collection of Ethiopian Magic Scrolls and Manuscripts on vellum Ethiopia and Eritrea, mostly 19th and early 20th century, including a 17th century example Consisting of a group of 30 Ge'ez scrolls of various sizes, including 2 scrolls that have a central fold, most with leather end pieces and attachment string, together with a group of 7 Ge'ez manuscripts, including 2 of concertina construction, 2 with soft leather covers and 3 within coptic bindings with wooden binding plates with one of these manuscripts with a leather carry case Of various lengths with the widest scroll 20cm Source : French private collection of Mr M. (1934-2024) Then by descent to the current owner, French private collection Key manuscripts in the collection include : (Inv. 19) a Tigray scroll, probably dating from the 17th century, which includes three illustrations including a "net of Solomon" and a depiction of demons attacking Solomon. (Inv. D) a particularly rare scroll combining Christian and fallacha (Jewish) iconography, including candelabras. (Inv. N) a 19th-century scroll in excellent condition containing a multitude of illustrations of stylised nets designed to catch demons. (Inv. Z) a manuscript containing auspicious motifs, probably used as a training manual or reference for dabtaras (deacons/sorcerers) on the techniques for producing talismanic manuscripts. (Inv. 35 and No. 37) two manuscripts believed to be copies of the "Cycle of Kings" (Awdä Nägäst) with their typical circular diagrams. A full description of the collection is available from the department on request. The production of magic scrolls, often used to heal the sick, is an ancient tradition that probably dates back to the Aksum Empire and the beginnings of Christianity in Ethiopia. Illness was often seen as the result of attacks by evil spirits incarnated by demons. Sick people or those wishing to protect themselves from disease therefore sought the help of dabtaras, a kind of itinerant deacon, to produce these magic scrolls, a mixture of talismans and Bible verses. The scrolls were supposed to capture demons before they entered the victim's body, or to draw them out so that the victim could recover. Each scroll was adapted to the person who commissioned it, depending on their astrological sign, for example. Often, the very length of the scroll corresponded exactly to the size of the patron, to provide total protection, "from head to toe". The scrolls were part of a ritual ordered by the dabtara and had to be worn by the patient until he or she was cured or the danger had passed. Once used, the scroll lost its usefulness and was ritually buried. Very few pre-19th century scrolls have survived for this reason. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church seems to have taken a negative view of these ritual practices and the production of these scrolls, although it supported the reading and recitation of holy scripture as part of these healing ceremonies. These scrolls also show the influence of the heterodox practices of Islam, in which the wearing of talismanic scrolls on the person is an attested practice. References : Mercier, Jacques, Art That Heals: The Image as Medicine in Ethiopia, New York, 1997 Mercier, Jacques, Ethiopian Magic Scrolls, New York, 1979 Windmuller-Luna, Kristen; "Ethiopian Healing Scrolls" In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2000