Alphabet Book

Alphabet books for children learning to read and write were called elif-ba cüzü. These primers begin with the individual letters of the alphabet, in this case a double spread (ff. 1r-2v). Each letter is written in red ink inside a lozenge shape. Above the alphabet on the right-hand page is a horizontal band containing a plain cartouche, in which are the words, ‘In the name of God, who is merciful and compassionate. O my Lord God, may my task be easy, free from difficulty and brought to an auspicious conclusion’ (f. 1r), while in the horizontal band on the left-hand page the vowel signs are written in red ink (f. 2v). This section is followed by tables showing the different ways of joining the letters (ff. 2r-16v), and then by prayers (16r-18v). The prayers begin with red ink and continue in black, while the last lines are written inside illuminated cartouches like those used for surah headings. The opening spread is illuminated with lanceolate leaves, bouquets springing from vases, baskets overflowing with roses, and ribbons (ff. 1r-2v). On the first and last pages is a vase containing a bouquet of roses framed by a border on a ground of yellow and green gold (ff. 1v, 18r). The margins are filled with halkâr gilding.

The book’s maroon leather binding with flap has an oval medallion in chestnut coloured leather on each cover. Inside the medallions is a tooled design of flowers in 15th-century style. The field is decorated with long lanceolate leaves and stems bearing flowers of different sizes painted in gold and silver. The plain black leather doublures have ruled borders in gold. The binding was altered during repairs carried out in the 20th century.