104 - Al-Bukhârî (d. 870), al-Jâmi' al-Sahīh,

Al-Bukhârî (d. 870), al-Jâmi' al-Sahīh, Maghreb, late 18th–early 19th century Arabic manuscript on laid paper, copied in fine Maghribi script in sepia ink, 36 lines per page; 313 folios. Book titles in gold; chapter titles and keywords in red, blue, and black; pages framed with red and blue borders; running heads at the bottom of the page. The text opens with an illuminated frontispiece, featuring an oval cartouche on a blue background, red spandrels with gilded scrollwork, and a marginal rosette with gilded interlacing. Small annotations appear at the top of nearly every page, and a few notes in the margins. A reader’s note in Maghribi script, with initials, occupies the first page. A large illuminated oval cartouche, with midnight blue and gold spandrels, is reserved for the colophon and remains blank. Restored binding in red morocco leather, with Andalusian decoration. Red cloth slipcase titled “Ancient Arabic Manuscript, Year 1224 of the Hijra,” unrelated to the manuscript. Condition: fairly good condition; wormholes in the margins, without damage to the text; binding with wormholes. 30 × 21.5 cm Undated; the manuscript bears a note at the end dated 28 Muharram 1242 H. (September 1, 1826) regarding a dispute between its owner and a bookseller from Kairouan: it therefore existed by that date at the latest. Provenance: Private Italian collection. This lot is accompanied by an export certificate issued by the Italian Ministry of Culture.