Summary:
Fine copy of a collection of prayers and short religious treatises, with detailed contents listing at opening (p.1).
Subject(s):
Islam--Doctrines--Early works to 1800.
Islam--Prayers and devotions--Early works to 1800.
Manuscripts, Arabic--Michigan--Ann Arbor.
Physical Details:
Collation:
i, VI+1 (13), III (19), V (29), IV (37), IV+2 (47), 3 V(77), IV (85), II-1 (88), i ; catchwords present ; pagination in black ink, Hindu-Arabic numerals ; pagination in pencil, Western numerals, supplied during digitization.
Script:
Naskh ; elegant, graceful Ottoman hand ; right-sloping head serifs ; effect of tilt to the left ; pointed in distinct dots ; mainly open counters ; descenders mainly curvilinear ; tapered rightward descenders ; fully vocalized.
Decoration:
Illuminated headpiece at opening of Ḥadīqat al-udabāʼ (p.96) consisting of rectangular piece (with empty gild cartouche flanked by floral design in gold, white, pink and orange on fields of red and blue) surmounted by w-shaped piece with swirling floral design in pink, white, blue, gold and orange on fields of blue, orange and pink, set in a well of pink and red, all surmounted by vertical stalks (tīgh) in blue ; textual dividers in the form of illuminated rosettes with blue and orange accents ; written area throughout surrounded by frame consisting of gold band outlined by black fillets ; titles, section headings, numerals and abbreviation symbols often rubricated.
Support:
European laid paper and non-European (Persian) laid paper ; European laid paper mainly with 13 laid lines per cm. (horizontal), chain lines spaced 20-21 mm. apart, and watermark with three hats in scrollwork/coat of arms ; non-European laid paper with 8 laid lines per cm. (vertical, some curving), no chain lines, fairly transluscent.
Binding:
Pasteboards covered in red leather ; Type II binding (with flap) ; pastedowns and flyleaves in olive-tinted laid paper ; upper and lower covers bear border in gold, textured onlays ; sewn in red thread, two stations ; worked chevron endbands in red and cream, fair condition ; overall in fair condition with some abrasion, lifting and losses of leather (at spine), etc.
Former Shelfmarks:
British Museum, London "No. 96. Prayers & tracts." ; "۲۷٦" on tail of textblock.
Ownership and History:
Bookplate of British Museum, London on interior of upper cover, "British Museum, London. No. 96. Prayers & tracts." ; circular seal impression with figure of goat/gazelle in purple ink as well as inscription "256" in Western numerals on verso of front flyleaf ; circular waqf-seal impression in black ink appears with contents listing on opening leaf (p.1) and several places throughout, reads: "هذا وقف الراجي فيض الصمدي الشيخ احمد ضيا الدين ابن مصط فى الخالدي فمن بدله بعد ما سمعه فانما اثمه على الذين يبدلونه" ; occasional marginal corrections, glosses and notabilia (side-heads).
Contributor(s) / Included work(s):
Unidentified-Can you help supply this information? Please comment!
Posted by evyn on March 8, 2010
Tags: Arabic MSS, Fully Catalogued, Tiflis Collection
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