Persian MS 943 (The John Rylands Research Institute and Library, The University of Manchester)

Binding

Probably rebound in Britain in the late 18th or early 19th century CE.

Resewn on three recessed cords laced into pasteboards. Comparatively thin, ivory-coloured wove endpapers added at the beginning and end, stiff-leaved with British-made 'shell'-patterned marbled papers. Edges trimmed, gilt, and decorative front-bead endbands sewn as head and tail. Covered in full, crimson straight-grained Morocco goatskin leather. Spine subsequently rebacked in darker straight-grained Morocco, with 4 false bands, and internal hinges of 'Spanish' wave-patterned marbled papers adhered as hinges covering the internal joints.

Boards feature gilt central diaper panels executed with a single fillet, and wide board margins of 7 repeated blind fillet lines, outlined with gilt single internal and double external fillets, and gilt quatrefoil rosettes on the cornewrs. Board edges tooled with perpendicular double lines in gold. Spine titled ‘Gulistan’.

222 × 169 × 28 mm.

Handle binding with caution. In stable but fair condition, with boards yawning, and extensive abrasion to their exteriors and edges.