Marginalia and Ownership Notes

A Study of the Provenance of a Copy of Silsilat al-Zahab, by Nūr al-Dīn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān Jāmī

Bibliographic Data

ID21822869
AuthorsNasim Koohkesh (0000-0002-1561-6073, University of Philosophical Research), Robyn Sloggett (0000-0001-7398-124X, University of Philosophical Research)
Year2025
Volume16
Issue3
Pages363-384
Publication date2025-08-29
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Islamic Manuscripts (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1878-4631 • E-ISSN: 1878-464X
PublisherWalter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1163/1878464x-01602006
OpenAlexW4413853837
LanguageEN
Citations received1

The study of Middle Eastern manuscripts requires an understanding of provenance, materials, and techniques, as well as the history and philosophies of the Middle East. The removal of many manuscripts from their context, along with transcription errors and language differences, creates barriers to understanding the origins and significance of traded manuscripts. This paper examines the methods for contextualising and attributing provenance to a copy of Silsilat al-Zahab by Nūr al-Dīn ʿAbd-al-Raḥmān Jāmī (1414–1492) from The University of Melbourne Library collection. While the library catalogue estimates the manuscript’s publication date between 1800 and 1899, an analysis of the colophon, marginalia, and ownership notes suggests a possible publication date of 1751, when it was part of the Indian Mughal library during the reign of Aḥmad Shāh Bahādur. This book entered the English book market before moving to its current location. Examining textual marginalia and linking this to provenance and the trade in manuscripts expands knowledge of this volume and provides perspectives for those interested in tracing manuscripts and recording their transmissions

Archaeology · Business · Geography · Marginalia · Eurasian Exchange Networks · Global Maritime and Colonial Histories · Islamic Studies and History

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