Illuminated Koran, Ottoman Empire, 19th century Manuscript on paper of 611 folios calligraphed with 15 lines of text per page in naskhi Arabic in black ink, some characters in red ink. Double-frontispiece in unwân illuminated in gold and polychrome, the text in reserves on a gold background flanked by two gilded cartouches and surrounded by a margin decorated with scrolls. Sura titles inscribed in white letters on a gold background, the verses separated by gold discs and a few illuminated floral medallions in the margins. Several instances of the word "waqf" in the margins. Flap binding in garnet morocco with stamped and gilded decoration of a poly-lobed medallion surrounded by four floral spandrels. 16.2 x 10 cm First folio detached, stains, gilding and polychromy missing, some text erased, folds, seams damaged, binding heavily worn and restored.