Ethiopian Magic Scrolls 1979 George Braziller Ancient Talismanic Art Mercier

Description: Ethiopian Magic Scrolls by Jacques Mercier 1979 George Braziller (New York), 8 1/4 x 11 1/4 inches tall green cloth hardcover in publisher's unclipped dust jacket, gilt lettering to spine, copiously illustrated with black-and-white and color photographs and reproductions of artwork, 118 pp. Ink prior owner name to top margin of blank front free-endpaper. Otherwise, a near fine copy - clean, bright and unmarked - in a very slightly soiled and edgeworn dust jacket which is nicely preserved and displayed in a clear archival Brodart sleeve. Ethiopia, mythically Jewish until it was converted to Christianity in the fourth century, was almost isolated from Europe by the screen of Islam after the seventh century. Thus it has retained many cultural features that disappeared elsewhere, among them a tradition of talismanic art. Talismans are not considered products of human art but part of a 'mystery' reproduced through revelation. Thus the Ethiopian genius translated into pictorial language on 'magic scrolls' the antique theory of correspondence between men, animals, stars, demons, sicknesses, etc. The artist saw their work as interlaces filled with eyes in order to protect a man as defined by his astrological sign. These paintings were considered to command spirits. This book provides a commentary on these ancient scrolls.

Price: 42.95 USD

Location: Sun City, California

End Time: 2025-01-07T09:07:07.000Z

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