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Source Description
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.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
36873
label
Prayer Scroll with Archangel Michael and Cross
core
obj
dtoType
object
citationUrl
pageCount
3
Source metadata
id
36873
contentType
object
stage
normalized
title
Prayer Scroll with Archangel Michael and Cross
description
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
Dr. John R. and Rose Mary Iddings, Glen Arm, Maryland [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 2001, by gift.
date
late 19th-early 20th century (?)
citationUrl
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
genreSpecific
scrolls
imageCount
3
pageCount
3
source
import
dimensions
units
cm
width
9.5
height
3
dimensionsRaw
Scroll case only, L: 3 3/4 × Diam: 1 3/16 in. (9.5 × 3 cm)
Source extras
med
ink on parchment, leather case
creator_ids
6264
collection_ids
ETH
exhibition_ids
1958
Page inventory
seq
1
type
photo
mediaId
cfa699e1de90994b
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
2
type
photo
mediaId
3d3ad3f4d8324676
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
3
type
photo
mediaId
e7daa524b8decbc0
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no