En'am-i Serif - Ottoman manuscript of the Sura Al-An'am - Lot 223

En'am-i Serif - Ottoman manuscript of the Sura Al-An'am Ink, pigments and gold on paper Turkey, early 17th century, Ottoman Empire 20 x 14 x 1 cm Manuscript known as En'am-i Serif in the Ottoman world, consists of 32 leaves including the sixth Sura Al-An'am (The Cattle), the text of which is inscribed in elegant naskhi calligraphy and spread over seven lines per page. On the opening folio, the title of the Sura is inscribed in white within a gilded scalloped cartouche, in the center of an 'unwan illuminated with polychrome floral motifs and arabesques painted in gold on a blue background. Verse separations are marked by polychrome and gold rosettes, and the seven lines of text are framed in gold and blue framing fillets. Bound in brown leather with stamped and gilded mandorla decoration. The Al-An'am Sura, often recited in the Ottoman world, was copied individually in small manuscripts called En'am-i Serif. In the 18th century, the En'am-i Serif became a very popular type of recitation book. It could consisting of a selection of the most frequently recited Suras, they became prayer books embellished with representations of the Prophet's relics, or miniatures depicting the Holy Places in the manner of the Dala'il al- Khayrat. (Wear)