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LOT 1907
Ethiopian Magic Scroll with Archangel Michael
EARLY 19TH CENTURY A.D.
13 5/8 in. (32 grams, 35 cm).
Comprising a folded length of thin leather or vellum, with lines of Ge'ez text in black and red ink, coloured figural illuminations at the top depicting the winged Archangel Michael brandishing a sword, wearing a richly decorated lembd as a covering cloak. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceStephen Keynes collection (1927-2017).
Ex central London gallery.
See Heldman, M., Munro-Hay Stuart, C., African Zion, The sacred art of Ethiopia, Yale University Press, 1993, pp.65, 72.
FootnotesEthiopian phylacteries or parchment scrolls combined apotropaic prayers and images. These ‘magic scrolls’ utilise only a few designs that derive from Christian imagery, namely the holy rider, the sword-bearing angel Michael, and the cross. Here the text asks intervention and protection from Saint Michael, commander of the heavenly Host. Interestingly, the accoutrement of the Angel reflects that of the military Ethiopian elite in 19th century A.D.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1907
Ethiopian Magic Scroll with Archangel Michael
Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
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Tudor Period Bronze Ring with Bird
Circa 16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Rectangular bezel with stylised bird above foliage within a border, geometric detailing to the shoulders. 5.18 grams, 22.86 mm overall, 19.04 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)
Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman. -
Mixed Finds Group
20th century A.D. and earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £52
Comprising metallic and organic artefacts including: a figural cross pendant; purse bar; toy tea pot; decorative furniture and other fittings; coins and other miscellaneous items. 1.4 kg total, 1-12 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. -
Post Medieval Opus Anglicanum Embroidery
England, 18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
Preserved as the binding for a 'book of common prayers, and administration of the sacraments', in an embroidered stumpwork binding, the front cover showing Saint Anne, Mary and the Child, the back cover with a large floral design; the folio text with some handwritten amendations, title page printed in red and black. 2.75 kg, 38.7 cm
Emil Offenbacher and Cornelius J. Hauck, with his ex libris beneath an elaborate hand-coloured early armorial bookplate. Ex Cultured Oyster Books, 2007. Ex central London gallery. Accompanied by a previous catalogue page, listed as no.10.
Stumpwork is sometimes called 'raised work' and is an embroidery style in which the stitched figures are raised from the surface creating a three-dimensional effect. Historically, this type of embroidery, here probably made for an ecclesiastical vestment, was employed to decorated a variety of secular household artefacts and reached its greatest popularity by the second half of the 17th century A.D. Embroidered folio bindings are fairly uncommon.
