Ɵ Kitab al-Jawharah al-Nafisah fi Ulum al-Khanisa (The Precious Jewel

Ɵ Kitab al-Jawharah al-Nafisah fi Ulum al-Khanisa (The Precious Jewel, on the ecclesiastical sciences), in Arabic, decorated manuscript on paper ["the Holy city of Jerusalem", dated 1551 of the Coptic Calendar] single volume, complete, 138 leaves plus a contemporary endpaper at each end, single column, 16 lines angular black naskh per page, headings and some vocalisation marked in red, 3 leaves of fihrist at the front of the volume, some faint marginal staining and finger-soiling, a few leaves with black ink-stains, two leaves adhered together from ink stains causing some loss to text, overall bright and attractive copy, 120 by 165 mm.; contemporary leather over boards with flap, contemporary tooling in Coptic-style floral rosettes and Ottoman medallions and corner-pieces, all stamped in blind and a little rubbed, remains of leather-ties to covers, upper cover rubbed and scuffed This is a popular theological and liturgical treatise on the ecclesiastical sciences compiled by the thirteenth-century by Coptic theologian Yuhanna ibn Adi Zakariyya ibn Sabba. The text covers a wide range of subject matter relating to ecclesiastical and ritual practices and is often referred to as 'encyclopedic' in its nature.