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). .
In fair condition, but dry and set in the current shape.
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 woman named Wollette Senbat, [daughter of Senbat, the Sunday Sabbath] her name is written in red. It is a prayer for a mother who had miscarried a child. Anne Parsons noted the veining in the vellum suggested it was made of sheep skin, which is thinner than goat. From notes made during a visit of the Anglo-Ethiopian Society 17/5/2017
Event Date 22/5/2017
Author: Rachel Hand