Chosen · Described · Sold with care

Ethiopian parchment manuscript open on Ge'ez text — Uniform catalogue view on ivory

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The copy in detail

A faithful presentation of the object.

Photographs of the piece offered; only the backgrounds have been standardised. Text, colours, structure and visible condition remain unchanged.

Every view shows the piece being offered. A supporting hand remains visible only where it helps show the structure safely.

Traditional leather binding on an ivory background — Front binding

First photographed opening of the Ethiopian manuscript on an ivory background — Fidel script in black and red

Second opening of the parchment manuscript on an ivory background — Browned parchment and liturgical text

Opening showing several gatherings on an ivory background — Gathering structure

Manuscript opening with red rubrication on an ivory background — Red rubrics

Opening showing worn passages and old repairs on an ivory background — Visible wear and repairs

Endpaper and old reinforcement in the Ethiopian binding on an ivory background — Sewn endpaper and fragile structure

Last photographed opening of the manuscript on an ivory background — Final photographed opening

First identified written page with black text and red rubrics on an ivory background — First identified written page

Last identified written page arranged in two columns on an ivory background — Last identified written page

Fore-edge showing numerous irregular parchment leaves on an ivory background — Fore-edge, thickness and leaf structure

The Reserve · FM 0003

Unidentified Ethiopian scribe

Substantial Ethiopian Christian manuscriptGe’ez on parchment · traditional binding

18th–19th centuryParchmentBlack and red inkTraditional binding

A substantial Ethiopian Christian manuscript written by hand on parchment, with black and red ink and a traditional leather-covered wooden-board binding.

Price

CHF 2’960

Status

Available through The Reserve · condition documented

The displayed price concerns the manuscript described and photographed. Its structure and the points still to be established are detailed below.

An enquiry opens a personal exchange. It is neither an automatic reservation nor a sale.Make an acquisition request

Acquisition enquiry

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This enquiry is neither an order, an automatic reservation nor a sale. It begins a personal exchange with FOLIA MUNDI. We check the book's availability and condition, then send you written confirmation. You remain free to accept or decline. A serious offer may also be considered.

Your intentionI wish to acquire at the listed priceCHF 2’960Make an offerSerious and reasonable proposals are reviewed personally.

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Date: 18th–19th century, cautiously
Dimensions: 19 × 17.5 × 9.8 cm
Language: Probably Ge’ez · one and two columns
Provenance: Unknown

Bibliographical description

A devotional object whose binding speaks as powerfully as its text.

The text is probably liturgical and may include a Psalter, but it has not been identified as a complete Bible. No illustration or dated colophon has been found.

The first and last written leaves and the fore-edge have been documented. The piece is offered as a material and devotional witness rather than as a fully decoded text.

Condition of the piece

A rare survival requiring extremely careful handling.

Structure

The book block is largely detached from the binding; sewing and gatherings are fragile.

Parchment

Browned, cockled, stained and abraded, with old repairs and handling wear.

Legal care

Provenance and cultural-property checks will be completed before any international transfer.

FOLIA MUNDI · Described with care

A manuscript shaped by parchment, script and a striking traditional binding.

Thick parchment, black fidäl script, red rubrics and stamped leather give this devotional object an exceptional presence. Its structural condition is documented in full.

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