Healing Scroll 19th Century

                                  
Amhara or Tigrinya Healing Scroll, c. 19th century
                                

Ethiopian scrolls such as this one, use written prayers and talismanic imagery to battle demons that cause illnesses. This scroll was made from parchment sourced from a ritually sacrificed animal. The arrangement and visibility of the scroll are equally crucial aspects of the process of healing. Talismans on these types of scrolls are presented in washes of red, black, and green. Their rounded outlines, giving the work on overall simplicity. Images of saints tended to be popular in Ethiopian Christian art for their connection with spiritual involvement. 

This scroll was one of the earliest African artifacts to enter the Metropolitan's collection. It was created by a dabtara, an unordained priest or religious leader, to strip a person of physical illnesses caused by evil minded spirits. The parchment scroll is made up of three interchanging panels of talismanic visual symbolism and prayers, determined according to the client's zodiac sign. Although there is no fixed symbolic interpretation for any design, dabtaras draw from a common pool of motifs to create the scrolls. Both the upper and lower motifs are variations on eight point stars. The motif is among the most frequently repeated in Ethiopian scrolls, interpreted as the "Net of Solomon," "Face of Man," or an eight winged angel. 

The upper talisman introduces the prayer to Saint Susenyos, who was greatly referred to in scrolls intended for women. In the inner most panel, a horned beast is held over head in the left hand of a large mean a white and earthy pigmented robe, scattered with orange stars. This scene has often been interpreted as Abraham, Isaac and the sacrificial lamb. Sometimes, it is also interpreted as the archangel, Phanuel next to the scrolls owner, Hayla Mikael. This interpretation is more likely, given the wings and sword on the panel. The horned brown demon, the animal, has one visible eye, an Ethiopian convention for depicting evil. 

This scroll measures to nearly a whopping six and a half feet. When arranged facing a door, the talismanic angels were thought to threaten any bad spirits who tired to enter. We know that this piece was hung in a home because of Phanuel in the central panel. 

References

(n.d.). Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/307601

(n.d.). Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/320635