Amuletsthe gallery← amulets.guru
Sub-Saharan Africa · c. 1500 – today

Ethiopian magic scrolls & amulets

What it is
Parchment scrolls (ketab) as long as the patient is tall, with prayers in Ge’ez and hypnotic eye-filled talismanic images of angels and nets. They are kept in leather cases, next to silver cross and tälsäm pendants.
Making yours
Goat-parchment strips 8–10 cm wide by 1–2 m long. Red and black ink, with square eye-figure paintings. Leather tube case.
See all 11, save the ones that feel rightAsk about having one made
Silver amulet and 2 copper rings, Ethiopia, before 1868Silver amulet and 2 copper rings, Ethiopia, before 1868Ethiopia · before 1868Necklace (ashän ketab) with amulet pendants (tälsäm)Necklace (ashän ketab) with amulet pendants (tälsäm)Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, unknown silversmith · late 1800s or early 1900sPrayers, charms and incantations for diseases and evil spirits, [Ethiopian manuscript]Prayers, charms and incantations for diseases and evil spirits, [Ethiopian manuscript]Ketabat amulet from EritreaKetabat amulet from EritreaEritreaAmulet from EthiopiaAmulet from EthiopiaEthiopiaScroll Amulet (CBL W 941) label QS:Len,"Scroll Amulet (CBL W 941)"Scroll Amulet (CBL W 941) label QS:Len,"Scroll Amulet (CBL W 941)"19 th century date QS:P,+1850-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Amharic/Ge'ez scrollAmharic/Ge'ez scroll20 th century date QS:P571,+1950-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Amulet case, silver-gilt filigree, Ethiopia, before 1868Amulet case, silver-gilt filigree, Ethiopia, before 1868Ethiopia · before 1868Necklace (ashän ketab) with amulet pendants (tälsäm) and beadNecklace (ashän ketab) with amulet pendants (tälsäm) and beadAfrica, East Africa, Ethiopia, unknown silversmith · late 1800s or early 1900sKetab amulette algérienneKetab amulette algérienneEthiopian whole scroll.Ethiopian whole scroll.

More from Sub-Saharan Africa: Sahelian leather amulets (gris-gris, safi) · Ivory & bone pendant amulets · Ethnographic charms (collector field finds) · Other & unsorted Sub-Saharan Africa
Every type in the gallery

Anything in the gallery can be made: any piece, any tradition, in its own material or yours, by hand from the documented original. Numbered. Price on commission, quoted before anything is made. I reply within one business day.