Context (Analysis)
The following interpretations are based upon a reading of the inscriptions on the painting by an Ethiopian Roman priest staying at St Edmund's House, Cambridge:
"Painted roll representing the STORY of the QUEEN OF SHIBA (reigned 31 years, BC 1013-982), in 36 panels.
1. The Tigri people had been worshipping Zandu the dragon for 400 years. (Tigri is the Northern part of Abyssinia).
2. The people told the father of Makeda (The Queen of Shiba) that, if he killed the dragon, they would make him King.
3. They are preparing the poison. (He takes the juice from the tree and she pounds it in the mortar).
4. They mix the poison with injera (flat cakes) and give it to a goat. (In front is seen an earthen box in which the injera is kept).
5. They carry the poisoned goat to the dragon.
6. They give the goat to the dragon.
7. He showed the dead dragon to the people.
8. He was made King after killing the dragon.
9. The father presenting his daughter to the people to be recognised as his successor on the throne.
10. Mageda being crowned (after her father's death).
11. A trader coming from Jerusalem.
12. Mageda asking the trader about Solomon.
13. She is handing a bottle of scent to the trader for Solomon.
14. The trader returning with the present.
15. The scent bottle is handed to Solomon. (A letter in a cleft stick is shown, which is presumably the expression of thanks and invitation to her to come to Jerusalem.)
16. On her journey to Solomon, accompanied by her maid.
17. As she is crossing the sea.
18. Her arrival at the Palace gate.
19. The reception by Solomon.
20. Solomon gives a dinner to her people.
21. Solomon entertaining her (and her maid).
22. As he asked her to sleep with him (which she is shown refusing).
23. As she is caught taking the water. (Her maid is sleeping at the foot of her bed.)
24. As they sleep together.
25. Solomon giving her two rings as a sign. (The gold ring she is to send if it is a boy, and the silver ring if it is a girl.)
26. Returning to her country.
27. After her having a baby. (Menelik I, 981-957 BC.) NB The maid is shown spinning yarn and has another baby on her lap, Zaga, also a son of Solomon.
28. Boys playing hockey with young Menelik. (Ganna, a form of hockey, is still a national game, played especially about Christmas time).
29. During the game the other boys are rude to him and taunted him with having no father, so he came home to ask his mother who his father was.
30. She showed him a mirror and said your father is the man who looks like your image in the glass.
31. Consulting her people about sending her son to his father.
32. Menelik and Zaga on their journey to their father, Solomon.
33. Menelik crossing the sea.
34. As the boys reached the palace gate.
35. Menelik recognising his father. (Zaga is seen bowing before the wrong man, one of courtiers, dressed up in crown and royal costume to test the boys.)
36. Solomon investing Menelik and Zaga in royal costumes (and thereby acknowledging them as his sons.)
NB The full story on which this is based may be found in the 'History of the Kings', an English version of which was published a few years ago in the Cambridge University Press. The above explanations of the pictures are translations of the 'amharic texts'.
F. O. Lechmere Oertel, Addis Ababa, 1.1.1931."
Event Date
Author: Lily Stancliffe

Context (Related Documents)
Collected and donated by F. O. Lechmere Oertel.
'Label reads: "from F.O. Lechmere Oertel from Addis Abeba story of Azieb Q of Sheba Modern C. documents year 2 no 1.P.9 23 March 1931"

Event Date
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Painting on cloth showing series of scenes from the life of the Queen of Sheba. Viz.:
1) Tigre people. 4th century, were subject to a dragon. 2) Making a contract to kill the dragon. 3) Mixing a poison. 4) Giving poison to a goat. 5) Carrying the goat. 6) Offering. 7) The dead dragon shown to the people. 8) Having killed the dragon, he became king. 9) The king shows his daughter, Azeb, to the people. 10) The crowning of Queen Makda. 11) A merchant from Jerusalem. 12) The Queen (Azeb) asks the merchant about Solomon. 13) Azeb sends a perfume to Solomon. 14) The merchant takes it to Jerusalem. 15) It is given to Solomon. 16) Azeb travels to Solomon. 17) Azeb crosses the sea. 18) Azeb at Jerusalem. 19) The Queen meets Solomon. 20) A reception is offered by Solomon. 21) Solomon gives dinner to the Queen. 22) Solomon invites the Queen to sleep in the Palace. 23) Solomon is taking hold of her. 24) They are sleeping together. 25) Solomon giving a sign to the Queen. 26) Azeb returning home. 27) The Queen has given birth. 28) The children play a game. 29) Menelik. 30) Ghena-chevata.
Event Date
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Painting on cloth showing series of scenes from the life of the Queen of Sheba. Each panel depicts a particular episode and each is annotated.
Event Date 22/2/2022
Author: Lily Stancliffe

Research Visit (Anthropology)
RES.2024.3062 | Ethiopian paintings.
Event Date 7/8/2024
Author: Guey-Mei Hsu