[The Four Gospels] - Lot 1

[The Four Gospels] Mamluk Egypt, 15th century Incomplete Arabic manuscript on laid paper, 214 vols. (Numbering in Coptic cipher-letters), 15 lines per page, text in naskh script in black and red ink. Eusebius' Canons in red frames. The beginnings of the Gospels are indicated by calligraphic gold bands (except Mark), the ends of verses are marked by groups of three red dots, and chapter headings by polychrome and gilt rosettes. Havana morocco binding with stamped frame decoration. (Very damaged, partially unbound, stains, wetness, tears, wormholes, missing upper binding plate and 11 leaves: fols. 1-7, 41-42, 222-223, lower binding plate with holes) 27 x 18.5 cm Provenance: Public auction, Maître François de Ricqlès, Arts d'Extrême Orient. Arts d'Orient, Hôtel Drouot, room 4, Paris, November 30, 1994, lot 305 The Canons of Eusebius (table of concordance of the four Gospels) are preceded by an introduction to the Gospels, which is the tradition of the Egyptian Christian vulgate. In this manuscript, the graphic presentation of the holy text mimics that of the Mamluk Korans, with their gilded bands and rosettes at the end of each verse. This copy most certainly comes from a Greek library in the Egyptian world, as a Greek call number is inscribed on the binding plate.