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A leaf from the 'Five Surahs', in Muhaqqaq script, copied by Abu Muhammad Abdul Qayyum Ibn Muhammad Ibn Karamshah-i Tabrizi, Persia or Mesopotamia, probably Jala'irid Baghdad, circa 1370 AD
Estimate
18,000 - 25,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- ink on paper
text: surah al-al-kahf (XVIII) verses 36 to 39
Arabic manuscript on paper, 5 lines to the page, written in bold muhaqqaq script in black ink outlined gold, verses separated by illuminated roundels with central knotted motifs, text block ruled in blue, red and gold
Arabic manuscript on paper, 5 lines to the page, written in bold muhaqqaq script in black ink outlined gold, verses separated by illuminated roundels with central knotted motifs, text block ruled in blue, red and gold
Condition
In fairly good overall condition, inner margin and top and bottom edges repaired, some occasional smudges, creases and stains, calligraphy strong and bold, gold bright, 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 leaf originates from a manuscript of selected chapters from the Qur'an known as the 'Five Surahs' which begin with the phrase al-hamduliIlah (chapters I, V, XVIII, XXXIV and XXXV). The colophon of the manuscript, now housed in a private collection, gives the name of the scribe as Abu Muhammad 'Abdul Qayyum Ibn Muhammad Ibn Karamshah-i Tabrizi. Aboulala Soudavar has suggested on stylistic grounds that the compilation of Qur'anic verses from which this leaf originated was made for the Jala'irid ruler Shaykh Uways (Soudavar 1992, no.19, pp.50-51).
The extremely fine illumination is reminiscent of earlier Ilkhanid imperial Qur'ans, such as Uljaytu's Mosul Qur'an and the superb muhaqqaq script looks forward to the monumental Qur'an attributed to Baysunghur but more likely comissioned by his grandfather Timur (r.1370-1405). Furthermore, David James observes that the calligrapher achieves '...Faultless perfection...equalled only by Suhrawardi in the Qur'an produced in Baghdad in the early years of the 14th century' (James 1992, p.16).
Other leaves from this manuscript are in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection; The Art and Trust Collection, now on loan to the Sackler Gallery, Washington; The David Collection, Copenhagan, the Rifaat Sheikh El-Ard Collection, Riyadh. Two leaves were exhibited in Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneva (see Islamic Calligraphy-Sacred and Secular Writings, Geneva, 1988, nos.23a and 23b, pp.100-104), whilst a further leaf was exhibited in the exhibition Writing the Word of God - Calligraphy and the Qur'an at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 27 October - 3 February 2008 (published in Roxburgh 2007, p.46-47, fig.20). A folio from this Qur'an was sold in these rooms 1 April 2009, lot 6, whilst a bifolium was sold in these rooms 8 October 2008, lot 19 and a further leaf on 9 April 2008, lot 24.
The extremely fine illumination is reminiscent of earlier Ilkhanid imperial Qur'ans, such as Uljaytu's Mosul Qur'an and the superb muhaqqaq script looks forward to the monumental Qur'an attributed to Baysunghur but more likely comissioned by his grandfather Timur (r.1370-1405). Furthermore, David James observes that the calligrapher achieves '...Faultless perfection...equalled only by Suhrawardi in the Qur'an produced in Baghdad in the early years of the 14th century' (James 1992, p.16).
Other leaves from this manuscript are in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection; The Art and Trust Collection, now on loan to the Sackler Gallery, Washington; The David Collection, Copenhagan, the Rifaat Sheikh El-Ard Collection, Riyadh. Two leaves were exhibited in Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneva (see Islamic Calligraphy-Sacred and Secular Writings, Geneva, 1988, nos.23a and 23b, pp.100-104), whilst a further leaf was exhibited in the exhibition Writing the Word of God - Calligraphy and the Qur'an at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 27 October - 3 February 2008 (published in Roxburgh 2007, p.46-47, fig.20). A folio from this Qur'an was sold in these rooms 1 April 2009, lot 6, whilst a bifolium was sold in these rooms 8 October 2008, lot 19 and a further leaf on 9 April 2008, lot 24.