Late 17th century AD. An illuminated leaf with Ge'ez text from a manuscript of the Miracles of Mary, on the recto the Virgin Mary seated upon a throne and with the Child on her left leg, both of them blessing and healing from the blindness the Priest John Bakansi; in the lower section the Priest showing himself healed to the Bishop; twelve lines of Ge'ez writing beside; on the verso two columns of Ge'ez writing, each of fourteen and ten rows respectively.Cf. Heldman, M., Munro-Hay, C., Zion, the sacred art of Ethiopia, New Heaven-London, 1993, figs.99, 102-103, p.243, for style; Budge, E.A.W., The miracles of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and The life of Hannâ (Saint Anne), and The magical prayers of ?Ah?ta Mîkâêl, London, 1900, pp.46ff.23 grams, 30cm (11 3/4"). Ex central London gallery; previously in a UK private collection, in the 1990s.The illustration shows the miracle of the Virgin Mary, with the miraculous healing of the Priest John Bakansi in the Church of Mercurius the Martyr at Cairo. This manuscript page is an outstanding example of the First Gondarine style, which is closely associated with the patronage of the Gondarine monarchy. [No Reserve]

Fine condition.