Codex of 140 leaves (6.25 x 4.5 inches), written on goatskin parchment in red and black ink, with 9 full page illuminations and 5 decorative headpieces. Original binding of wooden boards with leather spine. Back board is crudely repaired. The well-used original carrying case is an uncommon survivor.
Ethiopia, 19th century.
This codex is written in Ge’ez (Ethiopic), a language that is no longer used today except by the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church for religious purposes. The calligraphy of this particular manuscript is smaller and more finely rendered than usual.