Understanding Manuscript Structures and Bindings from the Islamic Lands Examination, Exchange and, Eventually, Progress

Abstract

The Leiden collection contains nearly 7,000 Arabic manuscripts that originate from all parts of the Islamic world. The autopsy of hundreds of original manuscript structures and bindings was possible because many of the books were never much interfered with. After laying the foundation of the technical aspects of the Islamic bookbinding tradition, the focus of my study turned to more regional aspects. A sub-survey of manuscripts from Yemen – undertaken in the context of a digitisation project – illustrates how much can still be learned from previously examined items when they are re-examined in a more condensed and dedicated study.

Authors 1

1. Karin Scheper corresponding Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Universitaire Bibliotheken Leiden, Nederland