Beschreibung:

Ɵ A bound Sub-Saharan Qur'an, in Arabic, decorated manuscript on paper [East Africa (probably Ethiopia), late nineteenth century] single volume, lacking leaves at the end of the volume, replaced in manuscript facsimile, single column, mostly 22 lines of black East African Naskh, surah headings and some vocalisation in red, opening two surah with elaborately decorated with red and black circles framed with in a rectangular border decorated with stylistic floral devices, verses marked with a black circle adorned with four dots (one to the centre and three on the rim to form a triangle), some soiling and smudges throughout, extremities chipped with some closed tears, a few creases and edges repaired, 298 by 200 mm.; contemporary provincial leather over pasteboards with flap, spine ends torn along folds, extremities a little scuffed A charming and attractive East African Qur'an, probably produced in Harrar, the Islamic centre of Ethiopia, in the late nineteenth century. As this volume is bound it is an interesting example of its kind, as Qur'ans from this region were more commonly produced and kept as loose leaves. The script is notably large and curved and bears a closer resemblance to bihari script, from the Indian manuscript tradition, than the local neighbouring style of naskh and muhaqqaq, this raising interesting parallels between manuscript production and the movement of culture between India and Eastern Africa during this period.