A Magnificent 19th Century Ge'ez Bible leaf on Vellum.
[ Ethiopia / Eritrea ]: ( circa 19th Century ). A single manuscript leaf: text on both sides of an 11 1/2 x 8 3/4 inch sheet of vellum, the written surface being approximately 7 1/2 x 7 inches. Twenty six lines of script in two columns – written in black ink with a few words in red (Holy names are often in red ink in such mss). Apparently a Biblical text written in Ethiopic (Ge'ez), an ancient South Semitic language that developed in the current region of Eritrea and northern Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa. It is no longer spoken a spoken language, although it remains in use in the liturgy of the Christian churches of sub-Saharan Africa: the Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox Church, the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and the Ethiopian Catholic Church. The vellum has the usual age toning, and a little fading and waviness. Mounted between two sheets of glass, in a double-sided 13 1/2 inch x 12 1/4 inch brown wooden frame. The frame has a little light wear, but is overall VG + condition. Please note that this item cannot ship media mail - extra shipping charges to those automatically quoted may apply dependent upon destination. Item #70655
Price: $95.00