LOT 1821

Ethiopian Manuscript Page for Miracle of the Virgin Mary

CIRCA 1680 A.D.

14 x 11 7/8 in. (89 grams, 35.5 x 30 cm).

Vellum leaf with pricked guidelines for placement of two columns of red-ink and black-ink text in Ge'ez script with red detailing; recto with two columns of text above a polychrome painted miniature showing a nimbate Mary beside a recumbent bearded figure among buildings with a winged angel above; verso with twenty-two lines of text in two columns. [No Reserve]

Previously in the David Buxton collection (1910-2003), until the late 1990s.

Cf. Wallis, Budge, E.A.W., The miracles of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and The life of Hannâ (Saint Anne), and The magical prayers of ʻAhĕta
Mîkâêl, London, 1900, pls.XIII-XV.

The scene should represent the miracle of the Virgin Mary to Damianus the scribe: Damianus wrote the name of the Virgin Mary with gold and silver instead of with common black ink. The Virgin Mary appeared to Damianus on his death bed and promises to write his name upon a pillar of gold in the Kingdom of Heaven.