- 212
A monumental illuminated Qur'an, Sultanate, 15th/16th century
Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 GBP
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Description
- Arabic manuscript on buff paper
Arabic manuscript on buff paper, 413 leaves plus a flyleaf, 13 lines to the page, written in bold muhaqqaq script in black ink, occasional words or phrases picked out in gold, catchwords, verses separated by gold rosettes pointed in blue and red, Persian interlinear translation in red ink, each leaf with large red marginal notes with smaller black translation, surah headings in gold on a hatched red ground with polychrome floral decoration, large illuminated marginal medallions, the opening illuminated double page frontispiece with gold and polychrome illumination surrounding the text panels, three further illuminated double pages within the text, plain red morocco binding with marbled doublures, with flap
Condition
In reasonably good overall condition, calligraphy strong, some paper repairs, particularly to lower edge corners, minor areas of waterstaining, 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
Pre-Mughal Islamic manuscripts from India are rare, few having survived, mainly due to political instability and unfavourable climatic conditions. The present intact Qur'an represents a good example of the vibrancy of Indian Sultanate period manuscript production, displaying four double pages of illumination, in good condition.
The earliest known Qur'an of this type is from Gwalior, near Delhi, dated 1398 and housed in the collection of Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan (see S. Canby, Princes, Poets and Paladins: Islamic and Indian Paintings from the Collection of Prince and Princess Sudruddin Aga Khan, London, 1998, pp.106-7, item 76). A further Qur'an is dated 1483 AD, and can be found in the Bijapur Archaeological Museum (MS.912, see M. Brand and G. Lowry, Akbar's India: Art from the Mughal City of Victory, catalogue of an exhibition at the Asia Society, New York, 1985, cat. no.71).
Other Qur'ans of a similar style to the present manuscript, though smaller in size, exist in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art (acc.no.QUR237, see D. James, After Timur, London, 1992, p.104-7, no.28) and the Tareq Rajab Museum (see N. Safwat, The Harmony of Letters: Islamic Calligraphy from the Tareq Rajab Museum, National Heritage Board, Singapore, 1997, p.88). A fifteenth-century Sultanate period Qur'an in Bihari script was sold in these rooms 25 April 1991, lot 237, whilst a further comparable example (dated 919 AH/1513 AD), was sold in these rooms 6 October 2010, lot 16.
The earliest known Qur'an of this type is from Gwalior, near Delhi, dated 1398 and housed in the collection of Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan (see S. Canby, Princes, Poets and Paladins: Islamic and Indian Paintings from the Collection of Prince and Princess Sudruddin Aga Khan, London, 1998, pp.106-7, item 76). A further Qur'an is dated 1483 AD, and can be found in the Bijapur Archaeological Museum (MS.912, see M. Brand and G. Lowry, Akbar's India: Art from the Mughal City of Victory, catalogue of an exhibition at the Asia Society, New York, 1985, cat. no.71).
Other Qur'ans of a similar style to the present manuscript, though smaller in size, exist in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art (acc.no.QUR237, see D. James, After Timur, London, 1992, p.104-7, no.28) and the Tareq Rajab Museum (see N. Safwat, The Harmony of Letters: Islamic Calligraphy from the Tareq Rajab Museum, National Heritage Board, Singapore, 1997, p.88). A fifteenth-century Sultanate period Qur'an in Bihari script was sold in these rooms 25 April 1991, lot 237, whilst a further comparable example (dated 919 AH/1513 AD), was sold in these rooms 6 October 2010, lot 16.