Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Prayer Scroll with Archangel Michael and Cross
(Ethiopia)
Clerics known as "dabtara" specialized in the creation of prayer scrolls like this for people suffering from curses or physical afflictions. The length of the scroll was custom-made to match the height of its owner, creating a physical connection between scroll and owner that enhanced the object's efficacy. Each scroll included a mixture of prayers, spells, and images that aided in the healing process and were specific to the person's condition. Scrolls were generally rolled and worn by their owners until the desired effect was achieved.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Dr. John R. and Rose Mary Iddings, Glen Arm, Maryland [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 2001, by gift.
Exhibitions
| 2006-2007 | Angels of Light: Ethiopian Art from the Walters Art Museum. Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham; Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton; Museum of Biblical Art, New York. |
Geographies
Ethiopia (Place of Origin)
Measurements
Scroll case only, L: 3 3/4 × Diam: 1 3/16 in. (9.5 × 3 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. John R. and Rose Mary Iddings, 2001
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
2001.32.7