Hymnal, Turkey, Istanbul, 17th century, On parchment, Binding: leather, tooled and stamped over wood, On loan from the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, MSS 01281

Hymnal, Turkey, Istanbul, 17th century, On parchment, Binding: leather, tooled and stamped over wood, On loan from the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, MSS 01281

This tiny hymnal (Greek, irmologion), a collection of Christian religious songs, may have been produced in Istanbul. The thriving city, formerly known as Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire until 1453, was a vibrant centre for manuscript production where Greek Orthodox Christian and Ottoman Islamic books were crafted side by side. With its burnished paper and leather covers tooled with a central almond-shaped stamp, this Christian manuscript reflects the influence of Islamic craft practices. The small handheld book contains syllabic notation for songs performed during the early morning service. The earliest hymnals date to the mid-tenth century, but few of these manuscripts survive due to heavy use in worship.

Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

17th century

Photographer Credit: Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

Dimensions: 16.9 x 11.8 x 5.5cm

Materials: On parchment

Greek

Fisher MSS 01281

Turkey, Istanbul