Investigation of Mesnevî-i Serîf in Library of Kütahya Vahidpaşa in point of illumination and bookbindings

The word is Tezhib derived from the Arabic word Zeheb (gold), exactly means ?gilding or begolding?. However illumination art, not only with gold, also describes as well as using paint together with gold. Eventhough illumination art especially used to decorate in hand writings (manuscripts), murakkas, firman and emperor signatures are illuminated beautifully.Today there are many illuminated manuscripts are replacing in public and private libraries. These significant works are very valuable because many people couldn?t have a chance to observe them. They are reserved for their security and waiting the researchers to search them. Our thesis topic, which one is reserving in Library of Kütahya Vahidpaşa, registered with inventory number 1153 is Mesnevî-i Serîf.The work Mesnevî-i Serîf is belong to 17th century, is dated h. 1022 / m.1613. This work is written in Nesih form (calligraphy) is made up of single volume work, contained six parts. Every parts of ?unvan pages? are decorated by traditional illuminated rules, however we haven?t got any information about the this work?s muzehhib (illumination artist).In one of the thesis parts, the growing period of traditional hand arts and these arts?s materials are informed. In the second part there are general informations about the work. These are composition, binding, paper and desing informations of Mesnevî-i Serîf. Also Library of Vahidpaşa and the Mesnevî-i Serîf is presented in this part. In the last part of thesis is made up of application studies of Muzehheb pages?, their original size and colour reproduction studies are made.Key Words: 1) Illuminatian Art 2) The Bookbindings 3) Traditional Arts4) Mesnevî-i Serîf