The codex contains the text of the four Gospels on 166 parchment leaves (size 15.8 cm by 11.7 cm), with one lacunae (John 16:27-19:40). It is written in one column per page, 26 lines per page.[2]
The text is divided according to the κεφαλαια (chapters), whose numbers are given at the margin, and the τιτλοι (titles of chapters) at the top of the pages. There is also a division according to the Ammonian Sections, (no references to the Eusebian Canons).[3][4]
It contains tables of the κεφαλαια (tables of contents) before every Gospel, illuminated headpieces, and pictures.[4][3]
There is a musical notation on the first four leaves, and the first nine lines of St. John are in gold.[4]
Formerly the manuscript was held in the monastery Mar Saba. In 1834 Robert Curzon, Lord Zouche, brought this manuscript to England (along with the codices 552, 553, and 554).[4][3] The entire collection of Curzon was bequeathed by his daughter in 1917 to the British Museum, where it had been deposited, by his son, since 1876.[7]
The manuscripts was added to the list of the New Testament manuscript by F. H. A. Scrivener (535) and C. R. Gregory (548).[4] It was examined by Scrivener, Burgon, and Gregory (in 1883).[3]
^ abcAland, K.; M. Welte; B. Köster; K. Junack (1994). Kurzgefasste Liste der griechischen Handschriften des Neues Testaments. Berlin, New York: Walter de Gruyter. p. 79. ISBN3-11-011986-2.
S. Emmel, Catalogue of Materials for Writing, Early Writings on Tablets and Stones, rolled and other Manuscripts and Oriental Manuscript Books, in the Library of the Honourable Robert Curzon (London 1849).
Facsimiles of Ancient Manuscripts, ed. E. M. Thompson and others, II (London 1913-34), 79
