Collection items

Chinese Torah – Kaifeng Torah

Manuscript, Scroll Created date: c. 1643–1663

This scroll was specially prepared for one of the farthest flung and most remarkable religious communities of history: t...

Codex Sinaiticus

Manuscript Created date: 2nd quarter of the 4th century–3rd quarter of the 4th century

Despite its rather austere appearance, Codex Sinaiticus is a treasure beyond price. Produced in the middle of the 4th ce...

Gutenberg Bible

Printed Book

Johann Gutenberg’s Bible is probably the most famous Bible in the world. It is the earliest full-scale work printed in E...

Hajj pilgrimage certificate

Manuscript Created date: 1433

This beautiful scroll from the 15th century commemorates the hajj – the pilgrimage to Mecca – by a woman called Maymunah...

Henry VIII’s Psalter

Illuminated manuscript Created date: c. 1540–1541

Written and illuminated in 1540 by an emigré from the court of the French king Francis I, King Henry VIII’s Psalt...

Jain Mandala

Object Created date: perhaps 19th century

A mandala is a sacred religious image, usually in the form of complex concentric circles. This mandala is from the Jain...

King James Bible, 1611

Printed Book, Book

The King James, or Authorised, Version of the Bible remains the most widely published text in the English language. It w...

Life of the Buddha

Manuscript, Image, Illustration, Paper folding book Created date: 19th century

This folding book is the third part of an illustrated account of the Buddha's life, beginning with his departure from co...

Lindisfarne Gospels

Manuscript Created date: c. 700

The Lindisfarne Gospels has long been acclaimed as the most spectacular manuscript to survive from Anglo-Saxon England....

Mr Liu and his wife ascend to the clouds

Manuscript Created date: 1750

This lavish album from 1750 is written in gold text on a bright blue background, with pictures illustrating the magical...

Olam Sefirot

Manuscript, Scroll Created date: 16th century CE

Kabbalah, also spelled Qabalah or Cabala, is the term traditionally used to describe the mystic and secret teachings in...

Ramayana

Manuscript, Illustration Created date: 1649–1652

The epic poem Ramayana was first composed by Valmiki in the middle of the first millennium.  It tells the story of Rama...

Rani Jindan prayer book

Manuscript Created date: 1828–30

This Sikh manuscript was the personal prayer book of the Maharani. It was prepared between 1828 and 1830 for Rani Jindan...

St Cuthbert Gospel

Manuscript Created date: Early 8th century

The St Cuthbert Gospel is a small copy of the Gospel of St John. It is the earliest European book with an original, inta...

Sultan Baybars' Qur'an

Manuscript Created date: 1304

This seven-volume Qur'an was produced in Cairo for the Mamluk Sultan Baybars by the calligrapher Muhammad ibn al-Wahid a...