Coptic Bindings
The Copts were native Egyptians who played an important role in the history of Christianity. Their greatest contribution was the development of monasticism. When, in 1911, Pierpont Morgan purchased most of the sixty Coptic manuscripts found a year earlier in Hamouli (III, No. 2), he acquired the largest, oldest, and most important group of Sahidic manuscripts with a single provenance, the nearby Monastery of St. Michael in the Fayum district of Egypt. Almost all were found with their bindings, and they constitute an essential collection for the study of Coptic bookbinding. Because of the fragile condition of both manuscripts and bindings, it was necessary to detach and preserve them separately. Unfortunately some information about the methods of sewing was thereby lost.
The cover pictured on this page is regarded as the finest surviving Coptic bookbinding. At its center is a cross surrounded by interlace designs composed of two intertwined squares within a circle. All these were cut from a single piece of red leather and sewn over gilt parchment. In addition, white parchment stripes were woven into the borders marking the broad decorative areas and the large circle. Small colored circles, with bright red centers, punctuate the arms of the cross, the perimeter of the large circle, and the bottom border. The use of leather tracery over the gilded background is earlier than this binding, for the identical technique is found on Coptic shoes usually dated to the sixth and seventh centuries.
The manuscript of the Gospels this cover protected, however, was not made at the Monastery of St. Michael. According to its colophon, the manuscript was originally owned by the neighboring Church of the Blessed Mary Mother of God at Perkethout. Later the Monastery of St. Michael added its ex-libris—also made of red leather letters sewn onto gilt parchment on the inside of the front cover.
Egypt, the fayum, seventh or eighth century. Cover of a Gospels, Monastery of Holy Mary Mother of God, Perkethoout. M.569 (385 x 295 mm). Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1911.
Thumbnails
MS M.567A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.567
Fragment of front cover, outside
MS M.567A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.567
Fragment of front cover, inside
MS M.567A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.567
Fragment of back cover, outside
MS M.567A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.567
Fragment of back cover, inside
PCC024
Photograph of outside front of M.567, Coptic binding (Petersen, photograph, vol. II, K2 A, Cod. Copt. N2)
Photograph of outside front
PCC054
Line drawing of a partial cover of a Coptic binding, of M.567 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 19)
Drawing of a partial cover
MS M.569A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.569
Front cover, outside
MS M.569A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.569
Front cover, inside
MS M.569A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.569
Back cover, outside
MS M.569A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.569
Back cover, inside
PCC018
Photograph of front cover of M.569, Coptic binding (Petersen, photograph, vol. IV)
Photograph of front cover
PCC036
Front and back cover of M.569, Coptic binding (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 1)
Drawing of back cover
PCC036
Front and back cover of M.569, Coptic binding (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 1)
Drawing of front cover
MS M.570A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.570
Front cover, outside
MS M.570A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.570
Front cover, inside
MS M.570A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.570
Back cover, inside
MS M.570A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.570
Back cover, outside
PCC060
Line drawing of a partial cover of a Coptic binding, of M.570 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 25)
Drawing of a partial cover
MS M.573A1
Upper and lower cover, and cartonnage fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.573
Front cover, outside
MS M.573A1
Upper and lower cover, and cartonnage fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.573
Front cover, inside
MS M.573A2
Upper and lower cover, and cartonnage fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.573
Back cover, outside
MS M.573A2
Upper and lower cover, and cartonnage fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.573
Back cover, inside
MS M.573A3
Upper and lower cover, and cartonnage fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.573
Outside cover
MS M.573A3F
Upper and lower cover, and cartonnage fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.573
Inside cover
PCC048
Line drawing of a partial cover of a Coptic binding, of M.573 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 13)
Drawing of a partial cover
MS M.574A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.574
Front cover, outside
MS M.574A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.574
Front cover, inside
MS M.574A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.574
Back cover, outside
MS M.574A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.574
Back cover, inside
PCC059
Line drawing of a fragment of a partial cover of a Coptic binding, of M.574 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 24)
Drawing of a fragment of a partial cover
MS M.575A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.575
Fragment of front cover, outside
MS M.575A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.575
Fragment of front cover, inside
MS M.575A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.575
Fragment of back cover, outside
MS M.575A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.575
Fragment of back cover, inside
PCC058
Line drawing of a fragment of a cover of a Coptic binding, of M.575 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 23)
Drawing of a fragment of a cover
MS M.576A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.576
Front cover, outside
MS M.576A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.576
Front cover, inside
MS M.576A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.576
Back cover, outside
MS M.576A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.576
Back cover, inside
MS M.576A3
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.576
Remains of papyrus board of back cover
MS M.576A4
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.576
Remains of papyrus board of back cover
PCC042
Line drawing of a cover and spine of a Coptic binding, of M.576 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 7)
Drawing of a cover and spine
MS M.577A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.577
Front cover, outside
MS M.577A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.577
Front cover, inside
MS M.577A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.577
Back cover, outside
MS M.577A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.577
Back cover, inside
PCC027
Photograph of M.577, Coptic binding (Petersen, photograph, vol. LIII, K13 A)
Photograph
PCC062
Line drawing of a cover of a Coptic binding, of M.577 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 27)
Drawing of a cover
MS M.580A
Ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.580
Conjoint binding, inside
MS M.580A
Ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.580
Conjoint binding, outside
PCC051
Line drawing of a partial cover of a Coptic binding, of M.580 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 16)
Drawing of a partial cover
MS M.581A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.581
Front cover, outside
MS M.581A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.581
Front cover, inside
MS M.581A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.581
Back cover, outside
MS M.581A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.581
Back cover, inside
MS M.582A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.582
Front cover, outside
MS M.582A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.582
Front cover, inside
MS M.582A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.582
Back cover, outside
PCC044
Line drawing of a partial upper cover of a Coptic binding, of M.582 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 9)
Drawing up a partial upper cover
MS M.582A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.582
Back cover, inside
MS M.583A2
Fragment of the lower cover of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.583
Back lower cover, outside
MS M.583A2
Fragment of the lower cover of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.583
Back lower cover, inside
PCC045
Line drawing of a lower cover of a Coptic binding, of M.583 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 10)
Drawing of a lower cover
MS M.584A1
Fragment of the upper cover of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.584
Front upper cover, outside
MS M.584A1
Fragment of the upper cover of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.584
Front upper cover, inside
PCC020
Photograph of rear of M.584, Coptic binding (Petersen, photograph, vol. XIII)
Photograph of rear
PCC057
Line drawing of the central fragment of a cover of a Coptic binding, of M.584 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 22)
Drawing of the central fragment of a cover
MS M.585A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.585
Front cover, outside
MS M.585A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.585
Front cover, inside
MS M.585A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.585
Back cover, outside
MS M.585A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.585
Back cover, inside
PCC055
Line drawing of a partial cover of a Coptic binding, of M.585 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 20)
Drawing of a partial cover
MS M.586A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.586
Front cover, outside
MS M.586A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.586
Front cover, inside
MS M.586A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.586
Back cover, outside
MS M.586A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.586
Back cover, inside
PCC041
Line drawing of a Coptic binding on a synaxary lections, of M.586 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 6)
Drawing of binding
MS M.587A
Ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.587
Conjoint binding, outside
MS M.587A
Ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.587
Conjoint binding, inside
MS M.588A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.588
Front cover, outside
MS M.588A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.588
Front cover, inside
MS M.588A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.588
Back cover, outside
MS M.588A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.588
Back cover, inside
PCC040
Line drawing of a Coptic binding on a synaxary lections, of M.588 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 5)
Drawing of binding
MS M.590A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.590
Front cover, outside
MS M.590A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.590
Front cover, inside
MS M.590A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.590
Back cover, inside
PCC053
Line drawing of a cover of a Coptic binding, of M.590 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 18)
Drawing of a cover
MS M.593A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.593
Front cover, outside
MS M.593A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.593
Front cover, inside
MS M.593A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.593
Back cover, outside
MS M.593A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.593
Back cover, inside
PCC022
Photograph of rear of M.593, Coptic binding (Petersen, photograph, vol. XXIII)
Photograph of rear
PCC052
Line drawing of a fragmented cover of a Coptic binding, of M.593 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 17)
Drawing of a fragmented cover
MS M.594A
Binding and papyrus board from the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.594
Conjoint binding, outside
MS M.594A
Binding and papyrus board from the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.594
Conjoint binding, inside
PCC050
Line drawing of a partial cover of a Coptic binding, of M.594 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 15)
Drawing of a partial cover
MS M.595A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.595
Front cover, outside
MS M.595A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.595
Front cover, inside
MS M.595A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.595
Back cover, inside
PCC046
Line drawing of a cover of a Coptic binding, of M.595 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 11)
Drawing of a cover
MS M.595 Notes
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.595
Original notes
MS M.595 Notes
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.595
Original notes
MS M.595 Notes
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.595
Original notes
MS M.596
Fragments of the upper and lower covers and a papyrus board scrap of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.596
Back of papyrus board scrap
MS M.596A1
Fragments of the upper and lower covers and a papyrus board scrap of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.596
Front cover, outside
MS M.596A1
Fragments of the upper and lower covers and a papyrus board scrap of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.596
Front cover, inside
MS M.596A2
Fragments of the upper and lower covers and a papyrus board scrap of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.596
Back cover, outside
MS M.596A2
Fragments of the upper and lower covers and a papyrus board scrap of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.596
Back cover, inside
MS M.596A3
Fragments of the upper and lower covers and a papyrus board scrap of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.596
Front of papyrus board scrap
PCC049
Line drawing of a partial cover of a Coptic binding, of M.596 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 14)
Drawing of a partial cover
MS M.597A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.597
Front cover, outside
MS M.597A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.597
Front cover, inside
MS M.597A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.597
Back cover, outside
MS M.597A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.597
Back cover, inside
PCC068
Line drawing of a cover of a Coptic binding, of M.597 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 33)
Drawing of a cover
MS M.598
Fragments of the papyrus board of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.598
Back of papyrus board
MS M.598
Fragments of the papyrus board of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.598
Front of papyrus board
MS M.599A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.599
Front cover, outside
MS M.599A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.599
Front cover, inside
MS M.599A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.599
Back cover, outside
MS M.599A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.599
Back cover, inside
PCC047
Line drawing of the lower cover of a Coptic binding, of M.599 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 12)
Drawing of lower cover
MS M.600A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.600
Front cover, outside
MS M.600A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.600
Front cover, inside
MS M.600A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.600
Back cover, outside
MS M.600A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.600
Back cover, inside
MS M.601A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.601
Front cover, outside
MS M.601A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.601
Back cover, inside
MS M.601A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.601
Back cover, outside
MS M.601A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.601
Back cover, inside
PCC077
Line drawing of a decorative cover of a Coptic binding, of M.601 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 42)
Drawing of a decorative cover
MS M.603 bis
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.603
Outer fragment
MS M.603A
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.603
Back cover, inside
MS M.603A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.603
Front cover, inside
MS M.603A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.603
Back cover, outside
MS M.603 bis
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.603
Inner fragment
MS M.603A
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.603
Front cover, outside
PCC037
Line drawing of one cover of M.603, Coptic binding (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 2)
Drawing of one cover
PCC064
Line drawing of a fragment of the cover of a Coptic binding, of M.603 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 29)
Drawing of a fragment of a cover
MS M.604A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.604
Front cover, outside
MS M.604A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.604
Front cover, inside
MS M.604A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.604
Back cover, outside
MS M.604A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.604
Back cover, inside
PCC021
Photograph of rear of M.604, Coptic binding (Petersen, photograph, vol. LIV)
Photograph of rear
MS M.608A
Ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.608
Conjoint binding, outside
MS M.608A
Conjoint binding, outside
Conjoint binding, inside
PCC080
Line drawing of a decorative cover and partial spine of a Coptic binding, of M.608 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 45)
Drawing of a decorative cover and partial spine
MS M.609A2
Fragment of the lower cover of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.609
Back lower cover
MS M.609A2
Fragment of the lower cover of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.609
Back lower cover, inside
MS M.609 (K48) cartonnage
Fragment possibly of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.609
Papyrus cartonnage, outside
MS M.609 (K48) cartonnage
Fragment possibly of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.609
Papyrus cartonnage, inside
PCC056
Line drawing of a partial cover of a Coptic binding, of M.609 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 21)
Drawing of a partial cover
MS M.614A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.614
Front cover, outside
MS M.614A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.614
Front cover, inside
MS M.614A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.614
Back cover, outside
MS M.614A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.614
Back cover, inside
PCC039
Line drawing of a detached binding (fragment) of M.614 bis, Coptic binding (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 4)
Drawing of a detached binding (fragment)
PCC043
Line drawing of a cover of a Coptic binding, of M.614 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 8)
Drawing of a cover
MS M.616-617bis
Fragments of the lower cover of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MSS M.616 and M.617
Back lower cover, inside
MS M.616-617bis
Fragments of the lower cover of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MSS M.616 and M.617
Back lower cover, outside
PCC038
Line drawing of the tail portion of the lower cover of M.616-617?, Coptic binding (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 3)
Drawing of the tail portion of the lower cover
MS M.634A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.634
Front cover, inside
MS M.634A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.634
Back cover, outside
MS M.634A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.634
Back cover, inside
MS M.634 bis
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.634
Outside
MS M.634 bis
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.634
Inside
PCC078
Line drawing of a decorative cover of a Coptic binding, of M.634 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 43)
Drawing of a decorative cover
PCC081
Line drawing of a decorative cover of a Coptic binding, of M.634 bis (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 46)
Drawing of a decorative cover
MS M.635A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.635
Front cover, outside
MS M.635A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.635
Front cover, inside
MS M.635A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.635
Back cover, outside
MS M.635A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.635
Back cover, inside
PCC079
Line drawing of a decorative cover of a Coptic binding, of M.635 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 44)
Drawing of a decorative cover
MS M.636A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.636
Front cover, outside
MS M.636A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.636
Front cover, inside
MS M.636A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.636
Back cover, outside
MS M.636A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.636
Back cover, inside
PCC076
Line drawing of a fragmented cover of a Coptic binding, of M.636 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 41)
Drawing of a fragmented cover
MS M.660A
Fragment of the lower cover of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.660
Fragment
MS M.660AF
Fragment of an ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.660
Fragment
PCC075
Line drawing of a fragment of a cover of a Coptic binding, of M.660 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 40)
Drawing of a fragment of a cover
MS M.663 bis 1
Fragments of an ancient Coptic binding Pierpont Morgan Library (MS M.663 bis 1)
Outside
MS M.663 bis 1
Fragments of an ancient Coptic binding Pierpont Morgan Library (MS M.663 bis 1)
Inside
MS M.663 bis 2
Fragments of an ancient Coptic binding Pierpont Morgan Library (MS M.663 bis 2)
Outside
MS M.663 bis 2
Fragments of an ancient Coptic binding Pierpont Morgan Library (MS M.663 bis 2)
Inside
MS M.663 bis 3
Fragments of an ancient Coptic binding Pierpont Morgan Library (MS M.663 bis 3)
Fragment 1, inside
MS M.663 bis 3
Fragments of an ancient Coptic binding Pierpont Morgan Library (MS M.663 bis 3)
Fragment 1, outside
MS M.663 bis 3
Fragments of an ancient Coptic binding Pierpont Morgan Library (MS M.663 bis 3)
Fragment 2, outside
MS M.663 bis 3
Fragments of an ancient Coptic binding Pierpont Morgan Library (MS M.663 bis 3)
Fragment 2, inside
PCC071
Line drawing of a fragment of a cover of a Coptic binding, of M.663 bis 2 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 36)
Drawing of a fragment of a cover
PCC072
Line drawing of a fragment of a cover of a detached Coptic binding, of M.663 bis 3 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 37)
Drawing of a fragment of a cover
PCC073
Line drawing of a fragment of a cover of a Coptic binding, of M.663 bis 4 (Petersen, part 2, Morgan no. 38)
Drawing of a fragment of a cover
MS M.666A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.666
Front cover, outside
MS M.666A1
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.666
Front cover, inside
MS M.666A2
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.666
Fragments
MS M.666AF
Fragments of the ancient Coptic binding originally on MS M.666
Fragments
MS M.670 bis
Coptic binding fragment Pierpont Morgan Library (MS M.670 bis)
Outside
MS M.670 bis
Coptic binding fragment Pierpont Morgan Library (MS M.670 bis)
Inside