Ethiopian magic scrolls were made by the unordained priests called ‘Debteras’ and were intended as tallismans to protect the wearer, avert evil spirits, heal the sick and protect mother and child during the birthing process. Ink images on the enclosed vellum include saints, angels, stylized crosses and text cover on the long narrow parchment bands. The length of the scrolls would ordinarily equal the height of its wearer to literally protect them from head to toe. The leather on this one is worn, so that the tightly wound vellum scroll can be seen a little at the one end.
1" in height x 2 1/4" in width.
