Qur'an Leaf in Kufic Script on Vellum, North Africa or Near East, Early Abbasid Period, 9th century

text: surat al-anbiyaa' (xxi) vv.: 35-38



Arabic manuscript on vellum, 7 lines to the page written in large kufic script in black ink, diacritics and vowel points indicated by large green and red dots, one teardrop verse marker in green, yellow and gold, wide outer borders

in good condition, minor surface wear with associated flaking and minor losses, some staining and smudging, creasing and small tears to edges, 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.
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Another folio from the same Qur'an is in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection, and according to François Déroche its letter forms recall the characteristics of the D Group (Déroche 1992, no. 69, p.126). Moreover, he concludes that the Khalili leaf might have originated from MS. 322 in the Institute of Oriental Studies in Leningrad (al-Munajjid 1960, pl.1, and  Petrosyan et al 1995, no. 2, pp.114-115).

Other sections, bifolia and leaves from the same Quran were sold in these rooms on 9^th April 2008, lot 12; Christie's, London, 15 October 2002, lots 44-52 and 8^th April 2008, lot 12; Sam Fogg, Islamic Calligraphy, cat.7, no.3, pp.14-15.