Water into Wine. A Study of Ritual Idiom in the Middle East.
London: John Murray, 1956. First edition. Hardcover. Octavo. xvi + 274pp. Original green cloth with gilt titling to spine, frontis, b&w illustrations, appendix, index. Author, Ethel Stefana Drower (1879 – 1972) was a British cultural anthropologist, orientalist and novelist who studied the Middle East and its cultures, specializing primarily on the Mandaeans. In this work, Drower offers a comprehensive study of the meaning and religious philosophy of ritual meals - largely but not exclusively of the "wine and bread" type - as practised in modern times amongst the many people and religions of the Middle and Near East. Upper corners lightly bumped, a few light flecks to edges, otherwise a tight & unmarked Near fine copy in VG+ dust jacket. (Dust jacket price clipped, a bit of light shelf-wear and a touch of charfing to edges, rear panel a little darkened. Now in mylar cover). Unusual to find this first edition in such nice condition. Item #67859
Price: $45.00