AA. VV. - Manoscritto Etiopico Ge'ez - 1790
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Selected by Ilaria Colombo
Specialist in old books, specialising in theological disputes since 1999.
Estimate € 1,000 - € 2,000
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This portable Ge'ez manuscript of 304 pages by AA. VV. and titled Manoscritto Etiopico Ge'ez bears hand colored miniatures and a rigid binding, offering devotional relevance from the eighteenth century.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Colors of the Desert – Ethiopian Miniature Code on Parchment
Ethiopian liturgical manuscript on parchment, written in Geʽez, the ancient sacred language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The codex, portable in size and monastic in structure, is decorated with vivid miniatures depicting three saints with halos and white beards, in a blessing gesture and holding golden fruits — symbols of wisdom and revelation. The texts alternate in red and black inks, highlighting titles, liturgical formulas, and recitative passages.
Market value
Complete and miniated Ethiopian manuscript specimens on parchment, with original wooden binding, are currently available on the international antique market at prices ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 euros, with higher prices for copies containing intact figurative cycles or complex ornamental rubrication. This codex, despite showing signs of use and having a devout and archaic appearance, retains strong devotional and documentary value.
Physical description and condition
Ethiopian manuscript on parchment entirely handwritten in Geʽez characters, in red and black; monastic binding with wooden boards and chain stitching in plant fiber. Presence of 6 polychrome miniatures depicting saints, decorative borders with geometric motifs. Some pages show wear holes. Pp. 302; (2).
Full title and author
Ethiopian liturgical manuscript.
Ethiopia, 19th century.
Dear all
Context and Significance
The manuscript belongs to the category of portable devotional books (Meʽraf), intended for personal recitation by Coptic monks and priests. The text, written in Geʽez, combines extracts of prayers, psalms, and liturgical hymns, alternating rubrics and red formulas for public declamation. The stylized yet intense miniatures reflect the contemplative spirituality of Ethiopian Christianity, where color and geometry hold mystical significance. The triple depiction of saints symbolizes the Trinity of unity and blessing, with clear echoes of 18th-century Gondar mural painting.
Biography of the Author
Anonymous Ethiopian monastic scribe. As is customary in Coptic tradition, the manuscripts do not bear the scribe's signature, but their work is recognizable by their regular style and formal devotion: the writing is broad, hieratic, without visible corrections, a testament to meditative copying rather than professional. The codex was created as an object of faith, not for study, and retains a sacred aura typical of texts written for private liturgical use.
Printing history and circulation
Being a manuscript, the work is unique: each copy of this type represents an independent transcription, passed down within a conventual setting and not intended for commercial circulation. Many of these codices arrived in Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries through missionaries or travelers, witnessing the encounter between African book culture and Western antiquarian interest. This copy retains the original binding and structure, with clear typological continuity with late medieval models.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
Uhlig, Siegbert (ed.), Encyclopaedia Aethiopica, Wiesbaden, Harrassowitz, 2003–2014.
Mercier, Jacques, Ethiopian Art: From Origins to the 17th Century, Paris, Citadelles & Mazenod, 1997.
Derat, Marie-Laure, The Domain of the Ethiopian Kings, 1270–1527, Paris, Publications of the Sorbonne, 2003.
Marrassini, Paolo, Geʽez and Amharic Texts, Florence, Olschki, 1989.
Balicka-Witakowska, Ewa, The Illustrations of the Ethiopic Manuscripts of the Miracles of the Virgin Mary, Wiesbaden, Harrassowitz, 1997.
Seller's Story
Luxury Books: Your Go-To Guide for Nabbing Literary Treasures!
Embarking on the thrilling journey of collecting rare and timeless printed works? Here's your snappy rundown, "The Collector's Cheat Sheet," to ensure you're not just flipping pages but stacking up the value:
1. Edition and Rarity: Rarity is the name of the game. First editions, limited printings, and books flaunting unique features like eye-catching illustrations or mind-blowing bindings? Consider them the VIPs of the collector's world.
2. Condition & Dimension: Picture this – a book in mint condition, untouched by the woes of wear and tear. Now, flip the script: wear, foxing, discoloration – they're the villains here. And don't forget to size up the dimensions, because a book's size matters in the collector's universe.
3. Authenticity: In a world of replicas and forgeries, verifying a book's authenticity is your superhero move. Expert examination and authentication – your trusty sidekicks in this quest.
4. Provenance: Who owned it before you? If the book has hobnobbed with famous figures or danced through historical events, its value skyrockets. Every book has a story, but some have blockbuster tales.
5. Demand and Market Trends: Think of book values as the stock market of the literary world. Stay savvy on collector trends and market shifts to ride the waves of value.
6. Subject Matter: Some topics are like fine wine – they get better with time. Dive into subjects with a timeless appeal or ride the wave of emerging cultural and historical relevance.
7. Binding and Design: Beauty is more than skin deep. Intricate bindings, stunning covers, and illustrations – these are the accessories that make a book runway-ready in the collector's eyes.
8. Association Copies: Books with a personal touch – whether it's a connection to the author or a famous personality – elevate the historical vibes. A book with a backstory? Count us in.
9. Investment Potential: Passion is the engine, but some collectors eye future returns. Keep in mind, though, that the book market can be as unpredictable as a plot twist.
10. Expert Advice: New to the game? Don't play solo. Seek wisdom from the book gurus, hit up book fairs, and join collector communities. We at Luxury Books are the Yodas of the rare book galaxy, helping you build collections that scream sophistication and cultural clout.
Because collecting rare books isn't just about dollar signs – it's a journey of preserving heritage and embracing literary treasures. Happy collecting!
Translated by Google TranslateColors of the Desert – Ethiopian Miniature Code on Parchment
Ethiopian liturgical manuscript on parchment, written in Geʽez, the ancient sacred language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The codex, portable in size and monastic in structure, is decorated with vivid miniatures depicting three saints with halos and white beards, in a blessing gesture and holding golden fruits — symbols of wisdom and revelation. The texts alternate in red and black inks, highlighting titles, liturgical formulas, and recitative passages.
Market value
Complete and miniated Ethiopian manuscript specimens on parchment, with original wooden binding, are currently available on the international antique market at prices ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 euros, with higher prices for copies containing intact figurative cycles or complex ornamental rubrication. This codex, despite showing signs of use and having a devout and archaic appearance, retains strong devotional and documentary value.
Physical description and condition
Ethiopian manuscript on parchment entirely handwritten in Geʽez characters, in red and black; monastic binding with wooden boards and chain stitching in plant fiber. Presence of 6 polychrome miniatures depicting saints, decorative borders with geometric motifs. Some pages show wear holes. Pp. 302; (2).
Full title and author
Ethiopian liturgical manuscript.
Ethiopia, 19th century.
Dear all
Context and Significance
The manuscript belongs to the category of portable devotional books (Meʽraf), intended for personal recitation by Coptic monks and priests. The text, written in Geʽez, combines extracts of prayers, psalms, and liturgical hymns, alternating rubrics and red formulas for public declamation. The stylized yet intense miniatures reflect the contemplative spirituality of Ethiopian Christianity, where color and geometry hold mystical significance. The triple depiction of saints symbolizes the Trinity of unity and blessing, with clear echoes of 18th-century Gondar mural painting.
Biography of the Author
Anonymous Ethiopian monastic scribe. As is customary in Coptic tradition, the manuscripts do not bear the scribe's signature, but their work is recognizable by their regular style and formal devotion: the writing is broad, hieratic, without visible corrections, a testament to meditative copying rather than professional. The codex was created as an object of faith, not for study, and retains a sacred aura typical of texts written for private liturgical use.
Printing history and circulation
Being a manuscript, the work is unique: each copy of this type represents an independent transcription, passed down within a conventual setting and not intended for commercial circulation. Many of these codices arrived in Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries through missionaries or travelers, witnessing the encounter between African book culture and Western antiquarian interest. This copy retains the original binding and structure, with clear typological continuity with late medieval models.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
Uhlig, Siegbert (ed.), Encyclopaedia Aethiopica, Wiesbaden, Harrassowitz, 2003–2014.
Mercier, Jacques, Ethiopian Art: From Origins to the 17th Century, Paris, Citadelles & Mazenod, 1997.
Derat, Marie-Laure, The Domain of the Ethiopian Kings, 1270–1527, Paris, Publications of the Sorbonne, 2003.
Marrassini, Paolo, Geʽez and Amharic Texts, Florence, Olschki, 1989.
Balicka-Witakowska, Ewa, The Illustrations of the Ethiopic Manuscripts of the Miracles of the Virgin Mary, Wiesbaden, Harrassowitz, 1997.
Seller's Story
Luxury Books: Your Go-To Guide for Nabbing Literary Treasures!
Embarking on the thrilling journey of collecting rare and timeless printed works? Here's your snappy rundown, "The Collector's Cheat Sheet," to ensure you're not just flipping pages but stacking up the value:
1. Edition and Rarity: Rarity is the name of the game. First editions, limited printings, and books flaunting unique features like eye-catching illustrations or mind-blowing bindings? Consider them the VIPs of the collector's world.
2. Condition & Dimension: Picture this – a book in mint condition, untouched by the woes of wear and tear. Now, flip the script: wear, foxing, discoloration – they're the villains here. And don't forget to size up the dimensions, because a book's size matters in the collector's universe.
3. Authenticity: In a world of replicas and forgeries, verifying a book's authenticity is your superhero move. Expert examination and authentication – your trusty sidekicks in this quest.
4. Provenance: Who owned it before you? If the book has hobnobbed with famous figures or danced through historical events, its value skyrockets. Every book has a story, but some have blockbuster tales.
5. Demand and Market Trends: Think of book values as the stock market of the literary world. Stay savvy on collector trends and market shifts to ride the waves of value.
6. Subject Matter: Some topics are like fine wine – they get better with time. Dive into subjects with a timeless appeal or ride the wave of emerging cultural and historical relevance.
7. Binding and Design: Beauty is more than skin deep. Intricate bindings, stunning covers, and illustrations – these are the accessories that make a book runway-ready in the collector's eyes.
8. Association Copies: Books with a personal touch – whether it's a connection to the author or a famous personality – elevate the historical vibes. A book with a backstory? Count us in.
9. Investment Potential: Passion is the engine, but some collectors eye future returns. Keep in mind, though, that the book market can be as unpredictable as a plot twist.
10. Expert Advice: New to the game? Don't play solo. Seek wisdom from the book gurus, hit up book fairs, and join collector communities. We at Luxury Books are the Yodas of the rare book galaxy, helping you build collections that scream sophistication and cultural clout.
Because collecting rare books isn't just about dollar signs – it's a journey of preserving heritage and embracing literary treasures. Happy collecting!
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Number of Books
1
Subject
History
Book Title
Manoscritto Etiopico Ge'ez
Author/ Illustrator
AA. VV.
Condition
Good
Publication year oldest item
1790
Height
140 mm
Edition
1st Edition, Illustrated Edition
Width
105 mm
Language
Ge'ez
Original language
Yes
Publisher
Etiopia, XVIII secolo
Binding/ Material
Hardback
Extras
Hand coloured illustrations
Number of pages
304
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