Arabic manuscript on paper, 180 leaves, plus 2 flyleaves, 9 lines to the page, written in naskh script in black ink, text separation represented by pointed gold roundels, illuminated frontispiece, surah headings in white ink against gold ground cartouches amid polychrome floral decoration, ruled in gold, black and red, containing 9 full double pages of illumination, brown morocco binding with gilt-stamped medallions, with flap and metal-thread-embroidered slip-case

In generally good condition, the margins are clean with only occasional water staining, the frontispiece with only minor ink discoloration as visible in the catalogue's picture, occasional discoloration throughout the text and some minor flaking in the second half of the manuscript. The illuminated bifolia in good condition, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This finely-illuminated manuscript is a collection of Arabic and Turkish prayers. it opens with Surahs al-Fatiha (I), al-An'am (VI), al-Dukhan (ILIV), al-Kawthar (CVII), al-Kafirun (CIX), al-Fath, al-Masad (CXI), al-Ikhlas (CXII), al-Falaq (CXIII), al-Nas (CXIV).

These are followed by the Seven Qur'anic Verses (Yedi aye). This is followed by two prayers for completion of the recitation of the Qur'an (Dua-i hatm-i Qur'an); the Beautiful Names (Asma' al-husna) and a commentary (sharh) on them; the Names of the Prophet and a commentary on them; the Prayer of Forgiveness (Istigfar); the Prayer of the Lord of Forgiveness (Seyyid-i istigfar) and its commentary; the Prayer of Faith and its commentary; the Prayer of The Greatest (Dua-i azem); the Prayer of the Contract (Dua-i ahdname); the Prayer of Light (Dua-i nur) and its commentary; the Prayer of the Goblet (Dua-i kadeh); the Qasida al-burda; the Companions of the Battle of Badr, and the Prayer of Supplications (Munajat).

These are followed by diagrams of the Name of the Lord of the Worlds (Rab al-'alamin); Name of the Prophet; the Seal of Prophecy (Muhr-i nubuvvet); the Seal of Solomon, the hilyes of the Prophet, Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, 'Ali, Hasan, Husayn; the Rose of the Prophet Muhammad; the Rose of 'Ali ibn Abu Talib and Fatima; the Noble Standards; Dhu'l-fiqar; the Seal of Ja'far al-Sadiq preceded by a commentary, and the Companions of the Cave.

Below the colophon on the final folio stating the name of the calligrapher there is a small cartouche in which the illuminator is mentioned as "'Ali, the illuminator of the Private Library of the Interior Palace (Kitabhane-i hassa-i enderun-i humayun)". The illumination of the frontispiece of the present manuscript can be closely compared to a Qur'an by Mehmed Nuri Efendi, dated 1748 AD, which also employs both stylised vegetal motifs, as well as naturalistic flowerheads in the side panels (see M. Ugur Derman, Ninety-Nine Qur’an Manuscript from Istanbul, Istanbul, 2010, pp.250-3).