An 18th-century illuminated Ethiopian Gospel manuscript looted during the 1868 Battle of Maqdala and linked to Emperor Tewodros II is listed for private sale in Abu Dhabi
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — An 18th-century illuminated Ethiopian Bible manuscript looted during the 1868 Battle of Maqdala and linked to the royal collection of Emperor Tewodros II has been offered for sale in Abu Dhabi for €250,000.
The manuscript—written in Ge’ez on vellum and originating from Gondar between 1730 and 1740—contains the complete Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of John up to its final 16 verses. Featuring 235 illuminations depicting Gospel narratives, miracles, and the Resurrection, scholars identify the codex as a unique royal manuscript from the imperial library at Maqdala.
Historian and heritage researcher Dr. Alula Pankhurst noted that while absolute physical proof confirming Emperor Tewodros II’s direct personal ownership remains difficult to establish, the manuscript’s rarity, artistic quality, and inclusion in the Maqdala royal library leave little doubt regarding its imperial association.
Following the defeat of Emperor Tewodros II at Maqdala in April 1868, British expeditionary forces acquired the manuscript before passing it to General Robert Napier, who presented it as a gift to the British commander-in-chief in India. Over the subsequent 158 years, the codex transitioned through various private collections, institutional exhibitions, and commercial sales.
Dr. Pankhurst clarified that because UNESCO frameworks do not extend retrospective legal protections to artifacts looted during 19th-century colonial conflicts, legal mechanisms to block the commercial transaction remain limited. However, he emphasized that moral arguments against commercializing looted heritage carry significant diplomatic weight in international markets.
Heritage advocates urge diplomatic representatives to engage in direct dialogue to halt the private commercial transaction. Dr. Pankhurst stressed that public, media, and diplomatic pressure frequently deters institutional and private buyers from acquiring contested cultural assets.
With a short sale window in Abu Dhabi, Ethiopian heritage experts are appealing for immediate international intervention to withdraw the manuscript from sale, enabling its return to Ethiopia rather than seeing it disappear into private ownership.
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