A Qur'an Leaf in Gold Kufic Script on Vellum, Near East, 10th century

text: sura al-baqarah (II), part of verse 218 to part of verse 220
Arabic manuscript on vellum, 5 lines to the page written in fine gold Kufic script, letter pointing (i'jam) of thin brown dashes, vocalisation of red, green and blue dots, single verse separated by a multi-petalled illuminated rosette

In generally good overall condition, margins have not been trimmed, some creasing, a few small stains, gold mostly intact on both sides, 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 Qur'an folio (and also lot 170) originates from one of only a handful of surviving Qur'ans in which the main body of text has been executed entirely in gold Kufic script. This was a lengthy and expensive process, hence the rarity of such manuscripts, and indicates a commission at the highest level of patronage.

The Qur'an from which this folio originates, now widely dispersed in numerous institutions and private collections, has been attributed to both Qairawan (Lings and Safadi 1976, nos.16-17, Geneva 1985, no.1), and also Central and Eastern Islamic lands. The latter due to the so-called Eastern abjad system used in the verse count of this Qur'an, as argued by Stanley (Quaritch 1213, p.18). Other leaves and sections from the same Qur'an are in the Bibliothèque Nationale, Tunis, The National Institute of Archaeology, Tunis, Beit al-Qur'an, Bahrain, and the Nasser D. Khalili Collection, London. Most recently, two leaves were sold in these rooms 5 October 2010, lots 8 and 9.