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Book of prayers

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At A Glance

Period

18th century
Geography

Turkey
Material

Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimension

H x W (overall): 21.5 x 16 cm (8 7/16 x 6 5/16 in)
Accession Number

S1986.32
EDAN ID

edanmdm:fsg_S1986.32

Object Details

Description

Manuscript; Book of prayers; Arabic in black and red naskh script; 117 folios with one sarlawh (folio 1 verso); a late nineteenth-century inscription on folio 117 recto; illuminated marginal medallion; standard page: 1 column, 9 lines of text.

Binding: The manuscript is bound in leather over paper pasteboards with gilt, block- stamped medallions and cornerpieces on the exterior covers. The doublures are of leather with gold-painted designs. The envelope flap has a surface and border identical to that on the upper and lower covers.
Inscriptions

A late nineteenth-century inscription that does not pertain to the manuscript appears on folio 117 recto.

Affixed to exterior of envelope flap: white, rectangular sticker with blue border and "33" written in blue

Affixed to interior of envelope flap: white octagonal sticker with red border, "NNN" and "318" written in blue ink and crossed out with black ink

Front flyleaf: written in pencil, "no. 95"

Front flyleaf: "He rpxx"

Front flyleaf: "HV. piax(24"

Front flyleaf: written in pencil "chapitre du Coran (pour l'écriture et la reliure)"

Front flyleaf: written in pencil, "XVII ͤ S"
Provenance

?-1942

Henri Vever (1854-1942), method of acquisition unknown

[1]

1942-1947

Jeanne Louise Monthiers (1861-1947), bequest of Henri Vever [2]

1947-1986

Francois Mautin (1907-2003), bequest of Jeanne Louise Monthiers and Henri Vever [3]

From 1986

Arthur M. Sackler Gallery purchased from Francois Mautin [4]

Notes:

[1] An accomplished French jeweler and collector, Henri Vever (1854-1942) amassed a large and impressive collection of works of art during his lifetime. His holdings in Japanese prints and Islamic arts of the books, especially from Iran and India, were among the most important assembled in the early twentieth century. This work was in Vever's collection at the time of his death in 1942.

[2] Upon Henri Vever's death on September 25, 1942, his wife, Jeanne Louise Monthiers inherited this work. See exhibits F and G of Agreement of Purchase and Sale of the Henri Vever Collection, January 9, 1986, copy in object file.

[3] Upon the death of Jeanne Louise Monthiers, as stipulated in the will of Henri Vever, the family's assets were divided evenly between his two grandchildren. His only grandson, Francois Mautin inherited the collection known as "The Henri Vever Collection of Oriental Art and Manuscripts Including Persian and Indian Art and Manuscripts." This object is part of that collection. See exhibits F and G as cited in note 2.

[4] The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery purchased the entirety of the collection from Francois Mautin on January 9, 1986. See purchase agreement, copy in object file.

Research completed June 4, 2022
Collection

Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Previous custodian or owner

Francois Mautin (1907-2003)

Jeanne Louise Monthiers (1861-1947)

Henri Vever (1854-1942)
Origin

Turkey
Credit Line

Purchase — Smithsonian Unrestricted Trust Funds, Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program, and Dr. Arthur M. Sackler
Type

Manuscript
Restrictions and Rights

Usage Conditions Apply

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