Central Asian bindings during the period in question were extremely specific — easily recognizable and very similar in appearance (a well-established range of colours, very subdued graphic design, the complete absence of a flap). They were not full leather bindings, but 90% paste-board (muqawwā’). Both covers of such a binding were usually made from poured whole paste-board, although well pasted and pressed paper-board of separate sheets (papier-mâché) was sometimes used. The edges of paste-board covers were strengthened with light, thin, well-worked leather and reinforced with a back spine of the same finish and со 1-our. The back spine sometimes had two tongued flaps that extended upward and downward (1.5—2.0 cm) for pulling the manuscript out of a pile on the shelf (Eastern manuscripts were kept lying, not standing as in Europe)…
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