8vo. An Ottoman Qur'an, illuminated manuscript on paper, inscribed in Syria by Suleiman Kayyali authenticating that it is hand written, dated 1200 AH (1785/86 AD), 303 leaves, single column, 15 lines of black naskh, some diacritics in red, surah headings in white thuluth against gold panels, opening bifolium with intricately illuminated headpieces above, along border and in panels below the text, over 30 illuminated palmettes and ornaments to the margins throughout (numbering all the Juz' individually), gold roundels marking the verses, leaves ruled in gold and black, a few later ink inscriptions to the margins, some faint spots and stains but overall in excellent condition, 170 by 105 mm, (written space 110 by 63 mm), later provincial carved leather boards, lightly rubbed, decorations filled-in with gold, re-sewn, spine extremities repaired.

Synopsis

This is a beautiful Ottoman Qur’an with an impressive array of individually designed marginal ornamentation, most employing unusual pink and purple colour schemes.