Ethiopian Government Demands Return of Ancient Manuscript from Private Sale
A rare Ethiopian manuscript, the Gondarine Gospel, has become the subject of an intense ownership dispute after it appeared in a private sales catalogue nearly 160 years after being looted by British forces. The ancient bible, originally belonging to Emperor Tewodros II, was listed for sale at $250,000 at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Ethiopian authorities have urgently requested its removal from sale and return on 'moral and ethical' grounds. The manuscript, written in Ge’ez, an ancient South Semitic language, contains 235 illustrations and was likely commissioned between 1730 and 1734 in Gondar. The Vienna-based dealer, Inlibris, which listed the book on behalf of a private owner, has rejected the call for restitution, arguing there are no legal grounds for its return as laws against looting cultural items during conflict did not exist before the 18th century. The dealer stated that handing over the book to Ethiopian authorities would be illegal and that they are open to dialogue for a 'preferen...
