Near East, likely Ottoman Empire, ca. 17th to 18th century CE. A remarkable, leatherbound book containing hundreds of laid-paper pages of an Islamic text penned in black and red Arabic script. Displaying rich hues of espresso and mocha, the cover is comprised of several pieces of leather hand-sewn together to create a front flap. The text is religious in nature and primarily discusses prayer or "salat" in Arabic - the second pillar of Islam - and the importance of prayer in the Islamic faith. Several pages bear a watermark of 3 crescent moons in a row, known as "tre lune;" a popular motif among Venetian papermakers who marketed their products to the lands of the Ottoman Empire starting in the 17th century. Size: 10.3" L x 3.8" W x 13" H (26.2 cm x 9.7 cm x 33 cm)

Provenance: Whisnant Gallery, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA acquired prior to 2000

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#169577

Tearing, perforations, and losses to leather cover. Losses to lower corner of last 11 pages. Additional smaller losses and tears to other pages, primarily at peripheries. Staining throughout. Otherwise, very nice with impressively preserved ink and clear writing. Several pages have watermarks of 3 crescent moons.