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Qur'an leaf in Kufic script on vellum, North Africa or Near East, 9th century
Estimate
3,000 - 4,000 GBP
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Description
Text: Surat al-Baqarat (II), vv. 276-278
6 lines per page written in fine Kufic script in dark brown ink on vellum, letter-pointing of brown ink dashes, vocalisation of red, blue, green and yellow dots, single verse division marked with a triangular cluster of gold dots, fifth verse division marked with a stylised Kufic letter 'ha'
6 lines per page written in fine Kufic script in dark brown ink on vellum, letter-pointing of brown ink dashes, vocalisation of red, blue, green and yellow dots, single verse division marked with a triangular cluster of gold dots, fifth verse division marked with a stylised Kufic letter 'ha'
Condition
Overall good condition, edges slightly trimmed, minor areas of staining, ink slightly rubbed, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
This Qur'an folio exhibits a Kufic script close in style to Déroche's categories D.III and D.Va (Déroche 1992, p.45). It is characterised by an extreme attenuation and elegance, and a strong balance and rhythm on the page. The letter-pointing has been kept to a visual minimum, leaving the lines uncluttered and allowing the eye to run smoothly along the script.
A very closely related folio is in the Bibliothèque Nationale de Tunis (Carthage, no.335), and two others with comparable scripts are in the Musée des arts Islamiques de Qairouan (Carthage, nos.327,328).