An Illuminated Book of Prayers, North Africa, 18th century

Arabic manuscript on paper, 277 leaves plus 1 flyleaf, 9 lines to the page, written in elegant maghribi script in black ink, the words 'Allah' and 'Muhammad' picked out in red, blue and gold, catchwords, margins ruled in blue, black and gold, polychrome illuminated headings throughout, including frontispiece and finispiece, decoration comprising floral and geometric motifs and white and gold text against red, yellow, blue and green grounds, including illuminations stretching into the margins, brown morocco binding with gilt-stamped geometric designs, with flap

In good overall condition, spine repaired and some rubbing and abrasions to the binding, some minor stains and smudges, but pages generally clean and ink bold, illuminations vivid and bright, as viewed.
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