Qur'an Section in Eastern Kufic with Commentary, Illuminated Arabic and Persian Manuscript on Paper, Seljuk, Persia, 11th Century

text: surat al imran



81 leaves, 7 lines per page of bold eastern kufic, vocalisation of red dots, interlinear Persian translation in black naskh, single verse divisions marked with illuminated red-outlined commas, tenth verses marked by an illuminated roundel bearing the word 'ashr', sura heading in illuminated eastern kufic with palmette, commentary of 19 lines per page in small naskh, occasionally interspersed within the Qur'anic text

In generally good condition, unbound, minor staining, rubbing and thumbing associated with age, small tears to extremities, 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."

This beautifully executed Qur'an section is written in the elegant broken cursive prevalent in the Eastern Islamic lands in the ninth to the eleventh centuries. Discussed briefly in reference to its unusual use in the Maghribi Mushaf al-Hadinah, lot 7 in this sale, this type of script was used particularly in Qur'anic manuscripts. The very essence of the script, with its large letters, extended horizontals and wide spacing make for a lavishly appointed and necessarily multi-part manuscript.

Interestingly, unlike the kufic Qur'ans of an earlier period, the broken cursive (or eastern kufic as it is otherwise known) of this period was meant to be read and understood despite the mannerist aspect of the script itself. The spaces, for instance, are located between words, indicating a shift in tradition from learning by rote to reading the text itself. 

Eastern kufic had reached its peak stylistically by the time this manuscript was written. From the thirteenth century onwards broken cursive was used predominantly in headings and marginal ornament, with the occasional sections of text highlighted in the hand that we see here. But by the sixteenth it had become stiff and increasingly mannered, until eventually it went out of fashion.  

Here, however, in this manuscript dating to the eleventh century, the elegantly attenuated verticals, the triangular form of the medial letters and the polished curve of the alif-lam are all beautifully proportioned and well executed.