Religious books

"[Religiosa] Book of hours entirely mounted on tabs, calligraphed, painted in watercolor and gouache on VELIN LEATHER. Superb period binding in full maroquin signed J. Kauffmann, 5-ribbed spine, double gilded gilt filets on the edges, gilt roulettes on the tail and head, gilt edges, in excellent overall condition. In a double slipcase with some defects. "Souvenir de première communion" by Gabrielle Armandy to her cousin Marie, May 6, 1897 Moiré cloth endpapers monogrammed with the M.C. of the recipient of this magnificent Missel, in which flowers are given pride of place. a formidable testimony to the revival of 19th-century book illumination, here combining botany and naturalism in the midst of the Art Nouveau period and inspired by medieval books of hours. In-12, 37p recto-verso on vellum, including a dedication page, a page titled "Missel", an illustrated frontispiece and 31p entirely worked on both sides."

BOOK OF HOURS WITH BEAUTIFUL ENLUMINATIONS 19th century Book of hours by Angelique Coatgoureden for her first cousin Raoul Casimir comte Harscouët. With its slipcase, beautifully bound in brown leather, Floral framing, large initials in red and blue Good condition

"Alexis de TOCQUEVILLE - On Democracy in America A la librairie Charles Gosselin à Paris, 1835-1840 - Extremely rare copy of the first edition of Tocqueville's masterpiece in uniform contemporary bindings. Fine period bindings signed Antoine Bauzonnet at the tail of the first volume, in half tan calfskin, spine with 4 raised bands adorned with gilt fillets and double title-pieces and tomaisons. One of the rare copies with all volumes in first edition (1835 for the first two and 1840 for the following 2) without any mention of edition, corresponding to the first printing and in signed contemporary bindings (we have not referenced any copies in signed bindings with all volumes at the correct date). The bindings are strictly contemporary, and were probably commissioned by an early enthusiast (Beaupoil de Sainte-Aulaire) from Bauzonnet before the latter joined forces with Trautz. The next two volumes are based on exactly the same model, with only the marbling on the edges differing slightly. Rubbing to the spines and small paper tears to the boards. The interiors of the first two volumes are in very good condition, despite some browning of the pages and a few small but not serious brown spots. The paper of the last two volumes has remained quite white, with little foxing, but there are visible halos of wetness in the upper margins. A fine copy of this rare, sought-after set, complete with the beautiful period-colored map of the United States, very well preserved without tears, bound at the end of the first volume. Considered the bible of political liberalism, this text is the result of the author's work in America with Gustave de Beaumont in 1831, originally intended as an examination of the American prison system. It was through this work that Tocqueville became fascinated with the political system of the United States, and planned to publish it. It was the 5-year gap between the publication of the first two volumes and the next two that made the uniformly bound copies of the time almost impossible to find. ""The author with innovative audacity constructed an 'ideal-type' of democratic society within which he strove to imagine the intellectual and sensitive horizon, and the mores of the future homo democraticus"" (En français dans le texte, 253) It's incredible to note the author's clear-sightedness on certain subjects: the abolition of slavery and its consequences, or the advent of the Russian and American great powers. His work, so relevant at the time of its publication, is no less topical, a mark of the greatest masterpieces. ""rare, much sought-after"" (Clouzot, p. 264) ""very rare to find a copy in a perfectly homogeneous binding"" (Carteret, II, p. 506) In-8, 24pp + 367pp, 459pp, 5pp (2) + 333pp, 363pp."

Biblia Latina. Mit großer Eingangsinitiale in Blau und Rot auf Goldgrund und durchgehend mit eingemalten Initialen und Lombarden in Rot und Blau sowie Druckermarke. Zweispaltiger Druck, 56 Zeilen. (Basel). Nikolaus Kessler, 1487. 435 (von 436) Bll. (ohne - Incunabula - Biblia Latina Biblia Latina. With large opening initial in blue and red on gold ground and with painted initials and lombards in red and blue throughout as well as printer's mark. Printed in two columns, 56 lines. (Basel). Nikolaus Kessler, 1487. 435 (of 436) vols. (without the title page. - this enclosed in photocopy and without the double leaf with the Prefatio added later according to the GW). Folio. Half pigskin binding on wooden boards with (the leather renewed) clasps and (mod.) gilt-stamped spine. (vellum cover more heavily rubbed, upper capital with small loss, partly with small wormholes). First Biblia incunabulum by Kessler. - GW 4262 - Hain-C. 3100 - BMC III 765 - Goff B-585 - For the first time with the appendix "Translatores bibliae". - Splendid printed bible with a wealth of painted initials, some larger, alternating in red and blue. - Partly somewhat browned and slightly stained, the upper margin partly with narrow dampstain, a few notes in an old hand, leaf a2 somewhat browned and stained, with ownership notes and a small wormhole in the outer margin (a3 still slightly affected), inside cover with old inscription, 1 leaf with corner tear (outside the text). From leaf B2 onwards, 10 pp. with diminishing burn hole in right outer margin with loss of text, leaf B2 larger (approx. 11 x 1.5 cm), the remaining 9 pp. with approx. 1.5 x 4 cm burn hole (diminishing). First Biblia incunabulum by Kessler. Splendid Bible print with very numerous painted initials (some of them larger) and lombards, alternating in red and blue. - 435 (of 436) ll. (without the title fol. - this in facs. added and without the double leaf with the Prefatio added later according to GW). Folio. Half pigskin on wooden boards with (leather renewed) clasps and (mod.) gilt-embossed boards. (Parchment cover more scuffed, upper capital with small missing part, partly with small wormholes). - Partly somewhat browned and lightly spotted, at the upper margin partly with a narrow margin of moisture, few notes in an old hand, leaf a2 somewhat browned and spotted, with ownership notes and small wormhole in the outer margin (a3 still slightly affected), inside cover with old writing, 1 leaf with corner tear (outside the text). From leaf B2 onwards, 10 fol. with decreasing burn hole in right outer margin with loss of text, leaf B2 larger (c. 11 x 1.5 CM), the remaining 9 fol. with c. 1.5 x 4 cm burn hole (decreasing). * This work is taxed. A premium of 23.95% will be added to the hammer price and 7% (books only) or 19% VAT will be added to the final invoice amount in the European Union. This work is subject to the regular margin scheme. There is a 23.95% buyer's premium on the hammer price and 7% (Books only) or 19% VAT on the final invoice amount in the European Union.

Important Sicilian 18th Century Chest of Drawers in Sorrento Fruitwood Marquetry, Naples or Sicily, Italian royal workshops from the late 18th century - Naples, Italy, circa 1800. Marquetry of various woods and embedded marble board. 87x129x62cm. Two full-length drawers on high stiletto legs decorated with borders that frame military trophies around the keyhole shield. The brass handles in the shape of a lion's head with a ring in the mouth. It stands out for its composition with only two drawers, which is repeated in examples from the Neapolitan area as well as the marquetry with trophies. According to oral information, from the collection of the Marquis of Palmerola. Similar specimens in the Correale museum in Sorrento. Reference bibliography: -AND. Baccheschi: Il mobile neoclassico en Italia, Milan: Gorlich, 1962 -Enrico Colle: Il mobile neoclassico in Italy. Interior arrangements and decorations from 1775 to 1800. Milan: Electa, 2005. -González-Palacios, A: Il Tempio del Gusto. Le arti decorative in Italia fray classicism and baroque. Roma e il Regno delle Due Sicilia, 2 vols., Milan: Longanesis, 1984.

[LEPERE] - GOUDEAU (Emile) - Paysage parisiens, heures et saison. Paris, Imprimé pour Henri Béraldy, 1892 . in-4, XVIII-175 pp. bound in full green morocco by Kieffer, smooth spine decorated, boards stamped in gold with geometric decoration, cover preserved, gilt head. One of 85 numbered copies on papeteries du Marais wove paper. With woodcut and etching illustrations by Auguste Lepère.

Castello, il Genovese, Giovanni Battista Die Anbetung der Hirten. Frühes 17. Jahrhundert. Tempera und Gouache auf Pergament. 12 x 9 cm. In umlaufender Brokatbordüre und vergoldetem Schnitzrahmen der Zeit unter Glas gerahmt (Rahmen mit Defekten). - Unten - Old art - Drawings Castello, il Genovese, Giovanni Battista The Adoration of the Shepherds. Early 17th century. Tempera and gouache on vellum. 12 x 9 cm. Framed under glass in a surrounding brocade border and gilt carved frame of the period (frame with defects). - Two short, inconspicuous tears lower right. Overall extremely well preserved. Provenance: Claridge Gallery, London (label verso). - Wilhelm Hack Collection (1899-1985), Cologne. - Giovanni Battista Castello (1547-1637), known as "il Genovese" to distinguish him from his contemporary namesake, the architect and painter "il Bergamasco", began his career in the field of religious goldsmithing, but soon devoted himself entirely to miniature art, which he helped to achieve a level of success and popularization that it had not known since the Middle Ages. Following his teacher Luca Cambiaso, Castello was summoned to Spain by Philip II, where he illuminated an important antiphonary for the king in 1584. This commission brought him instant fame in his homeland. The present work was probably used by the Genoese patriciate for private worship. The Adoration of the Shepherds. Early 17th century. Tempera and gouache on vellum. Framed in brocade border and gilded carved frame of the period under glass (frame with defects). - Lower right with two short, inconspicuous tears. Overall extremely well preserved. - Provenance: Claridge Gallery, London (label verso). - Collection of Wilhelm Hack (1899-1985), Cologne. - Giovanni Battista Castello (1547-1637), known as "il Genovese" to distinguish him from his contemporary namesake, the architect and painter "il Bergamasco", began his career in the field of religious goldsmithing, but soon devoted himself entirely to miniature art, which he helped to achieve a success and popularization that had not been seen since the Middle Ages. Along with his teacher Luca Cambiaso, Castello was summoned to Spain by Philip II, where he illuminated an important antiphonary for the king in 1584. This commission brought him instant fame in his homeland. The present work was probably intended for the Genoese patriciate for private religious devotion. * This work is taxed. The hammer price is subject to a 23.95% buyer's premium and the final invoice amount is subject to 7% (books only) or 19% VAT in the European Union. This work is subject to the regular margin scheme. There is a 23.95% buyer's premium on the hammer price and 7% (Books only) or 19% VAT on the final invoice amount in the European Union.

A Kashmiri Qur'an North India, late 18th century Arabic manuscript on paper, 384ff, with 15ll. of black naskh arranged within cloud bands on gold per page, gold roundel verse markers, surah headers in cobalt naskh on a gold ground with gold and cobalt floral decoration, 7 illuminated bifolios, extensive marginal decoration in gold and polychrome, margins trimmed, rebound, in floral lacquer binding, with possible date to medallion, folio 18 x 10.2cm. Provenance: Formerly in the private collection of 'Abd al-Wahhab Khan, Nizam ul-Mulk (1848-1916) and thence by descent in the early 20th century to a private London collection

Qur'an juz XII (Surah Hud, v.6 surah Yusuf .52) China, 18th century, Arabic manuscript on paper, 61ff., each with 5ll. of bold black sini, punctuation in red, double red ruled margin, surah heading in red against a gold ground, marginal decorations, opening bifolio with red, blue and black and gold illuminated panels around three lines of text, modern blue cloth binding with flap, folio 23by 17cm. Provenance: Private UK collection acquired in the 1960s-1980s

Manuscripts from the Private Collection of Prof. W.M Ballantyne (1922-2021) Lots 164-168 A Qur’an copied by Ali Uthman al-Hilmi, Ottoman Turkey, dated 1272AH/1855AD, Arabic manuscript on paper, 304ff., with 15ll. of black naskh script to the page within gold margins and gold and red rules, headers in white naskh script against gold within thin light red margins within double black rules, the suras' bismillah highlighted with a floral garland, gold verse roundels, marginal markers as polychrome and gold medallions, stellar motifs or trefoils issuing elegant rising blue foliate sprays, marginal hizb markers in gold, opening and closing bifolios decorated in gold and polychrome, in red morrocco and gilt decorated slip case, clean, very good condition folio 12.2 x 8.3cm. Provenance: Private Collection of Prof. W.M Ballantyne (1922-2021)

Gilles, Nicole Frantzösische Chronica oder Vollkommene Beschreibung aller Namhafftiger, gedechtnutz wirdiger Geschichten und Thaten, so sich zum theil von anfang der Welt, demnach ... in oder ausserhalb dem Reich mit den Saracenen, Türcken, Italiänern, - Gilles, Nicole The French Chronicle, or a complete description of all the famous, honorable histories and deeds that have taken place from the beginning of the world ... in or outside the empire with the Saracens, Turks, Italians, Hispanics ... ... but now and by Niclaus Falckner ... brought into high German language. 2 pp. in 1 vol. With 2 titles in red and black, 2 woodcuts on the title page and numerous woodcuts in the text. Basel, Niclaus Brylinger, 1572. 7 nn. Leaf, 1 w. Leaf, 382 p., 1 w. Leaf 3, 1 w. Bl., 4 bl., 505 p. 4°. Blind-printed hogskin boards on 4 bindings, covers covered with antiphonary mss. (rubbed, bumped, soiled, stained, some damage to capitals, missing clasps, some small worm marks). First German edition of the "Croniques et annales de France". - VD16 G 2040 - Fromm III, 10924 - Ebert 8520 (note). - Not in Adams. - The woodcuts mostly show princes in figurative and architectural borders. - Pp. 377/78 with loss (loss of text), p. 325/26 with tear in w. margin. - Bound: Jean de Serres. Caroli König in Frankreich warlike description of all dealings of the war in France aroused for the third time ... With title in red and black with woodcut vignette. Frankfurt a.M., Schmidt, 1573 (printer's mark different 1572). 3 pp., 118 (recte 117) num. pp., 5 nn. Very rare. - VD16 C 1200 - Not in Adams. - Leaf 60 with marginal tear. - First 4 leaves with small marginal tears, both leaves somewhat browned due to paper, some brownstaining and waterstaining, occasional small wormholes. - Anno 1805. the great unheralded theüerung. Described by me Simon Forster. 1 p. Hs. on 1 late. Double leaf. - Front inside cover with handwritten note by Simon Forster ("Chyrurgus") from Königsberg: "bekommen Von meiner frau Tochter Clara Lutzin von Stahlenberg 1795". - Title with more. Ownership notes, back. Inside cover with handwritten note "von dem Durchlauchtigsten Fürsten unnd Herrn". - Enclosed: Postcard to Sophie Forster in Plan near Marienbad. Saaz (Zatec), Sep. 27, 1886 - Ants as a remedy. Ms. 3 p. on 1 double sheet. - The pomological magic ring. Ms. 1 p. (verso with certificate "that the interests owed by Zacharias Spengler from Mostau (Mostov) to the local orphan's fund ... have been paid by Mr. Doctor Forster from Plan ... ... have been paid" (Plan, 1818). - Remedy for dog rabies from Transylvania. Ms. 1 p. - 1 letter. 2 S. 2 very rare German translations. - 2 parts in 1 vol. With 2 titles in red and black, 2 woodcuts to the title and numerous woodcuts to the text. Half blind-tooled pigskin on 4 raised bands, covers covered with antiphonary ms. (rubbed, bumped, soiled, stained, ends of spine somewhat damaged in places, ties missing, some small worm marks). - The woodcuts mostly show princes in figurative and architectural borders. - Pp. 377/78 with loss (loss of text), p. 325/26 with tear in white margin. - Bound with: as listed above. With title in red and black with woodcut vignette. - Leaf 60 with marginal tear. - First 4 leaves with small marginal tears, both parts somewhat browned due to paper, some brownstaining and waterstaining, occ. small wormholes. - Front inside cover with handwritten note by Simon Forster ("Chyrurgus") from Königsberg. - Title with ownership notes. - Enclosed: Postcard, ms. and a letter as listed above.

A Quran, Ottoman Turkey signed Al-Sayyid Husein al-Hamdi, dated 1273AH/1856-57AD Arabic manuscript on paper, 293ff. with 15ll. of black naskh to the page, with gold rosette verse markers, sura headings in white naskh on gold ground in cartouche, text within gold frame, opening bifolio heavily illuminated, colophon dated, in original gilt morocco, fore-edge with gilt decoration, with original leather slip case folio 19 x 12.5cm.

A prayer book (Dalail al-Khayrat), Turkey, copied by Suleiman Muratib known as Ebul Balakci-zade pupil of Sheker zade, dated 1168AH/1755AD, Arabic manuscript on paper, 128ff, 2fl., 11ll. of black naskh per page within thin gold margins within black and red rules, heading in white naskh script on gold ground within lobed cartouches flanked by interlocked floral tendrils forming lozenges within thin white borders dotted in red, quartered plain gold roundels as verse markers, red annotations in text panels, sometimes interlinear, marginal notes in black and red ink, seal impression to first folio, notes in two different hands in black ink to front flyleaf, folios scuffed, patched in scattered places, some staining, closing bifolio detached, original binding with tooled lobed medallions containing intertwined scrolling floral tendrils, the corner pieces and flap with similar decoration, the fore-edge flap torn and fritted, the binding worn overall folio 17 x 10.5cm. Provenance: Private Collection of Professor W.M. Ballantyne (1922-2021)

DOM CALMET (Augustin) - Commentaire littéral sur tous les livres de l'ancien et du nouveau testament-Les Epitres de Saint Paul volume I et II. Paris, Pierre Emery, 1716 . in-4, LXXXII-752 + CVIII-812 pp, bound in full contemporary calf, spines decorated with 5 nerves, edges speckled, red morocco title-piece, accident on one plate with lack. The 2 volumes. Antoine Calmet, Dom Augustin in religion, was born on February 26, 1672 in Ménil-la-Horgne near Commercy, Lorraine, into a modest family (his father was a blacksmith). A keen student from an early age, he was an 18th-century exegete and scholar from Lorraine, known as Dom Calmet, a Benedictine from the Congregation of Saint-Vanne et Saint-Hydulphe. In 1728, Dom Calmet was appointed abbot of Senones, the capital of the principality of Salm. It was in the great Vosges abbey that he worked and lived the latter part of his life, maintaining a correspondence with numerous scholars. He died there on October 25, 1757. Dom Calmet left an immense body of work. His best-known work is his Histoire de Lorraine, the second edition of which was written in Senones. It was also in Senones that he wrote a now-forgotten work, a 17-volume Histoire universelle, on which Voltaire collaborated for a few days in 1753. a Bible in Latin and French, with a Commentaire littéral et critique sur tous les livres de l'Ancien et Nouveau Testament (Paris (1707-1716 . 26 vol. in-4). The Commentaire, a major work by the Abbé de Senones, who constantly returned to make corrections or check translations, was reproduced separately under the title Trésor d'antiquités sacrées et profanes, from 1722, in 9 volumes. The reprinting of this Histoire ecclésiastique et civile de la Lorraine, Nancy, 1728, in 1745-1757, brought Dom Calmet into conflict with the censors.

Petites heures. Paris, Engelmann, 1875 . in-12, 160 pp, bound by Gruel, full beige morocco, 5-rib spine, gilt edges, stamped boards, two clasps. A work reproducing the golden books of the 15th century. Printed in chromolithography by Engelmann. Very good condition.

Sammlung von drei Antiphonarblättern mit insgesamt einer Bild-Initiale und zwei Fleuronné-Initialen. Um 1500. Notenhandschrift in Rot und Schwarz auf Pergament, je beidseitig gestaltet. Maße von 52 x 37 cm bis 59,5 x 39,5 cm. - Antiphonary sheets Collection of three antiphonary leaves with a total of one pictorial initial and two fleuronné initials. Around 1500, music manuscript in red and black on parchment, each designed on both sides. Dimensions from 52 x 37 cm to 59.5 x 39.5 cm. With slight traces of age. One leaf with an old tear. Overall well preserved. Collection of three antiphonary leaves with a total of one pictorial initial and two fleuronné initials. Around 1500. Music manuscript in red and black on parchment, each designed on both sides. - With slight traces of age. One leaf with a backed tear. Overall well preserved.

Three Chinese Qur'an juz, China, 18th century, Arabic manuscript on paper, each with 5ll. of black Sini script per page outlined in red rule, with gold and polychrome rosette verse markers, opening and closing bifolios with polychrome and gold decoration, two with cloth covers, one lacking cover, (3) Provenance: Private London collection acquired in the 1960s-80s

Antiphonarblatt auf Pergament in schwarzer Tinte mit Quadratnoten u. 7 ornamental fein verzierten Initialen in Rot u. Blau auf 4 roten Linien. 16. Jh. Blattmaße ca. 43,5 x 36,5 cm. Beidseitig unter Glas gerahmt (ungeöffnet). - Antiphonary sheets Antiphonary leaf on parchment in black ink with square notes and 7 ornamentally finely decorated initials in red and blue on 4 red lines. 16th century. Sheet dimensions approx. 43.5 x 36.5 cm. Framed under glass on both sides (unopened). Christe eleyson Kyrie eleyso(n). Kyrie eleyso(n). Gloria i(n) excelsis d(e)o. - "dona nobis pacem. Ite missa est. Deo gratias. Kyrie eleyson." - Pgt. somewhat creased and soiled in places, a few tiny losses in w. margin, ink rubbed in places, generally well preserved. Antiphonary leaf on vellum in black ink with square notes and 7 ornamentally finely decorated initials in red and blue on 4 red lines. Framed under glass on both sides (unopened). - Vellum somewhat creased and soiled in places, a few tiny losses in the white margin, ink rubbed in places, overall well preserved.

A group of calligraphic panels, Persia, 17th-19th century, comprising a single line of bold black naskh on a pink and blue marbled ground, 17.2 x 6cm.; a single line of bold black muhaqqaq within a pink border, 27.5 x 12cm.; a qur'anic folio with 7ll of black and gold naskh to the page, 22 x 14cm.; a calligraphic exercise with 3ll. of bold black muhaqqa, gold rosettes, 17 x 11cm.; a quranic folio with 12ll. of black naskh arranged in two panels and three headers in gold 23.5 x 15.5cm. (5) Provenance: Formerly in the private collection of 'Abd al-Wahhab Khan, Nizam ul-Mulk (1848-1916) and thence by descent in the early 20th century to a private London collection

Le nouveau testament de nostre signeur Jesus-Christ. S.l., s.e., ca. 1639 . in-4, ca. 500 pp. modern full red calf binding, 5-ribbed spine. Part 2 of a Christian Bible, which was to begin with the Old Testament.

Krauß, J. U. Heilige Augen- und Gemüths-Lust, vorstellend, alle Sonn- Fest- und Feyrtägliche nicht nur Evangelien, sondern auch Episteln und Lectionen . auch Emblemmatisch und mit curieusen Einfassungen . 2 Teile in 1 Band. Mit 2 gestoch. Frontispieces - Krauß, J. U. Heilige Augen- und Gemüths-Lust, vorstellend, alle Sonn- Fest- und Feyrtägliche nicht nur Evangelien, sondern auch Episteln und Lectionen . auch Emblemmatisch und mit curieusen Einfassungen . 2 parts in 1 volume. With 2 engraved. Frontispieces, 2 engraved. title vignette, 1 engraved initial and Initial and 120 copper plates with 2 illustrations each. Augsburg, Kraus, (1706). Folio. 5 vols, 70 plates, 2 vols, plates 71-120. cloth with blind-stamped ribbed decor (somewhat rubbed, small losses to capitals, upper pastedown). First edition of this splendid continuation of the "Histor. Bilderbibel". - Landwehr, German 390 - Thieme-B. XXI, 440 - Faber du Faur 1849 - The two-part plates show the pictorial representation above and the emblematic interpretation in baroque formal decoration below. - The 2nd part with a worm mark in the upper wide outer margin, altogether a fine, clean copy.

BIBLIA, Das ist: Die gantze Heilige Schrifft Altes (und Neues) Testaments (vorh. nur AT). Verteutscht von . Martin Luther: Und auf ... Verordnung ... Ernsts, Herzogen zu Sachsen ... von etlichen reinen Theologen ... erkläret. - Biblia Germanica BIBLIA, That is: The whole Holy Scriptures of the Old (and New) Testament (previously only AT). Translated by . Martin Luther: And by ... Decree ... Ernst, Duke of Saxony ... by several pure theologians ... declared. With engraved title page. Title page, 11 portraits of electors, 2 portraits of Luther, 2 double-page ground plans, 1 portrait of Moses. Moses, 9 engravings with 12 biblical scenes each, 2 double-page maps, 1 engraving Noah's Ark, 1 double-page engraving Children of Israel. Nuremberg, Endter, 1720. large folio. 54 pp., 664 p. Wooden binding with renewed leather spine (19th century) and leather covers and 2 clasps (somewhat rubbed). The Old Testament of the famous Elector's Bible with numerous copper plates. - Cf. Bibelsammlung Stuttgart E 1198 - A copy with approx. 100 copper plates (mostly with 2 illustrations) from Krauss' Bilderbibel, mounted to the respective passages. Mounted to the respective text passages. - First and last leaves reinforced or mounted in the inner fold, initially slightly waterstained in the inner fold, somewhat fingerstained, occasional small marginal tears or a few missing parts, a few leaves with tears, mostly a good, clean copy.

Juz 23 of a 30-part Chinese Qur'an, China, circa 1546AD, Arabic manuscript on paper, 48ff with 5ll. of black Sini script per page outlined in red rule, with gold and polychrome rosette verse markers, surah headers in red, opening and closing bifolios with polychrome and gold decoration, in tooled brown leather binding with flap, folio 25.5 x 19.2cm. Provenance: Private London collection acquired in the 1960s-80s