Context (CMS Context)
Collected by Professor David Phillipson, Director of MAA 1981- 2006. The standard work on scrolls written in ‘Ge’ez, the Ethiopian liturgical language is by Jaques Mercer although the linguist and scholar David Appleyard could probably translate them.
Event Date 31/10/2016
Author: Rachel Hand

Description (CMS Description)
A vellum scroll, known conventionally as ‘magic scrolls’. These are Bibilical texts, believed to provide the wearer protection from misfortune. This example probably dates to the mid 20th century. They are still being made today, but the earliest known are c,17th century. Worn around the neck, mainly by men, in a small cylinder of silver or leather. The language is ‘Ge’ez (Ethiopian litergical language). Made of three piece of vellum and joined with vellum stitching.
In 2 pieces. A: in fair condition, with holes near centre, but dry and set in shape. The previous ?conservation backing, possibly a type of oiled hessian is visible at the sides
Event Date 31/10/2016
Author: Rachel Hand

Context (Production / use)
These are magic scrolls with incantatations to ward off the evil eye. Tsehay Humber noted this this one was made for a man named Gebre Maryam, his name is written in red. From notes made during a visit of the Anglo-Ethiopian Society 17/5/2017
Event Date 22/5/2017
Author: Rachel Hand