1727. An Arabic manuscript leaf of Ibrahim al-Shabrakhiti’s Sharh Mkhtasar Khalil, jurisprudence on  Law (Maliki Law), copied by Abdul-Rahman bin Muhammad bin Abil-Qasim al-‘Anabi, from the library of Reinaud, North Africa, probably Algeria, dated AH 1140/ AD1727 on paper (220 x 160 mm.). Maliki is one of the four schools of Fiqh or religious law within Sunni Islam, named for Malik ibn Anas (ca. 710-95), a leading jurist from Medina. This school recorded the Medina consensus of opinion, and uses hadith (tradition) as a guide. The Maliki branch of law uses community practice (sunna), prefer traditional opinions (ra'y) and analogical reasoning (qiyas) instead of a strict reliance on the hadith as a basis for legal judgment.  There are twenty-five lines of Maghribi script in black ink with important words picked outr in red ink. Verso: twenty-five lines of Maghribi script in black ink with important words picked outr in red ink. Archivally matted with both sides of leaf visible. #25259. Very Good. More

circa 1760. This is a set of leaves from an anthology or collection of poems by Sa'di, Amir Khusrao, Jami and others. Circa 1760, it is written on paper, in a fine hand, black nasta'liq script with occasional phrases in blue. Written diagonally within two columns, the text throughout is encased in double gold lines with a few exquisite blue and gold floral headings. The fragment also contains illuminated title in polychrome colors of blue gold and red with a final folio of perching birds amongst flower sprays. Framed. #22609/22712. Very Good. More

1840. This fine leaf is from an excellently preserved, circa 1840 Koran, scribed in Kashmir about the time of Queen Victoria coming to the throne of England. Eleven lines of naskh script in a strong hand and on highly burnished paper, measuring 185 x 125 mm. The layout incorporates the typical marginal devices to which the Kashmir scribes are devoted. Neat gold floral devices embellish the corners of each page. The attractive Chapter Headings are in blue and gold. Framed. #4105. Fine. More

Netherlands: circa 1450. A leaf from an illuminated manuscript Book of Hours, use of Utrecht, in Latin and Dutch, the style of decorations and the litanies point to eastern Netherlands, probably Liege, mid fifteen century, mesuring 118 x 82 mm. The manuscript evidently belonged to a convent of Augustinian nuns. St. Augustine leads the confessors in two litanies and the prayers for the dying are only used for female nuns. Archivally matted with both sides of leaf visible. #18824/18826. Very Good. More

circa 1830. This leaf is from an Indian Kashmiri Koran, on paper, scribed circa 1830, measuring 233 x 144 mm. The simple, but dignified, strong format of thirteen lines of text in neskh script with thick gold margins is embellished by very fine elaborate marginal devices marking divisions of text. Sura headings are in gold and blue cartouche form, with white thuluth descriptions. Gold roundels mark verses. Archivally matted with both sides of leaf visible. #4654. More

1751. This is a leaf from a fine quality Koran, scripted in India dated 1751/1752. There are thirteen lines of black naskh script with Sura headings in white ink on a ground of gold. Good quality polychrome and gold medallions ornament the leaf marking division and text. Some climatic damp staining not affecting text. Framed. #17516. Near Fine. More

circa 1840. This leaf is from an excellently preserved circa 1840 Koran, scribed in Kashmir about the time of Queen Victoria coming to the throne of England. Eleven lines of naskh script in a strong hand and on highly burnished paper, measuring 185 x 125 mm. The layout incorporates the typical marginal devices to which the Kashmir scribes are devoted. Neat gold floral devices embellish the corners of each page. The attractive Chapter Headings are in blue and gold. In archival mat with both sides of leaf visible. #4090. Near Fine. More

1809. A Illuminated manuscript leaf from a large Koran on polish ivory paper (12 ¼ x 7 ½ inches or 310 x 190 mm.) with twelve lines of black naskh script between gold rules, gold roundels between verses, sura headings in red on gold panels with polychrome floral spandrels, Early Qujar Persia AH 1224/1809-10 A.D. Red Persian interlinear translation, extensive marginal commentary within gold clouds, elsewhere in the form of Cyprus trees and finial shapes.  Verso: twelve lines of naskh script. This is a beautiful acquisition for an Islamic collection. Archivally matted with both sides of leaf visible. #6341. Very Good. More

circa 1850. These two leaves are from a fine small Koran, measuring 123 x 142 mm., that was scribed in the Qujar period (mid 19th century), scribed in black elegant naskhi. Sura headings are in red on a gold or blue and gold grounds and verse endings are marked with gold medallions; gold floral decorations encircle each page. Some additional notations mark the 5th and 10th verses. Archivally matted with both sides of each leaf visible. #5328/5333. Fine. More

1809. Leaf from a Large Koran on polish ivory paper measuring 310 x 190 mm. or approximately 12 1/4 x 7 1/2 inches. Twelve lines of black naskh script between gold rules, gold roundels between verses, sura headings in red on gold panels with polychrome floral spandrels. Red Persian interlinear translation, extensive marginal commentary within gold clouds, elsewhere in the form of Cyprus trees and finial shapes. Archivally matted with both sides of leaf visible. #6429. Very Good. More

Paris. A leaf from a medieval manuscript Bible with contemporary notes: Paris, France, mid 13th century, In Latin, On Velum, measuring 197 x 134 mm. There are fifty-five lines of double column text in microscopic-miniscule Gothic script. Book headings, chapter numbers, with one large versal initial "I" in blue and red pen work with a large dragon as well as a versal initial "A" in blue and red pen work with a large dragon. Second Book of Machabees Chapter 13, "Antiochus and Lysias again invade Judea. Menelaus is put to death. The king's great army is worsted twice. The peace is renewed". In archival mat with both sides of leaf visible. #3046. Fine. More

A leaf from an illuminated poetry manuscript, Moulana Nurruddin Abdorrahman Jami, North India, middle of the 18th century, on gold sprinkled papeer. There are twelve lines to the page written in two columns of elegant nasta'liq script in black ink, inter columnar rules decorated with floral motifs, corner pieces and outer margins decorated with floral sprays and motifs in colors and gold throughout, inner margins ruled in colors and gold. Leaf measures 210 x 140 mm. Framed. #32889. Very Good. More

This brilliantly rare illuminated manuscript leaf is from a remainder volume of the Al-Kamilat Al-Sajjadiyah, Prayers, composed by Zayn Al-Abidin'Ali ibn al Husayn, only some 70 years after the death of the holy Prophet Mohammed. It was written during the period of Shiite Muslim consolidation in Persia under the reign of Abdalmalik who first enforced the use of Arabic as the official language of Persia. There are eight lines of script in elegant Arabic Naskhi, with Persian interlinear translation. The manuscript was dated "AD Huharran 1101/AD1689" Safavid Persia. Pure gold paint is used in the beautiful, meandering, floral pattern, which frames the words and also the many pious comments in the margins. Framed. #33590. Fine. More