An Illuminated Qur'an, probably Bukhara, Shaybanid, 16th century

Arabic manuscript on paper, 301 leaves plus 3 flyleaves, 15 lines to the page, written in neat naskh script in black ink, margins ruled in colours and gold, catchwords, verses separated by gold dots pointed in red, surah headings in white thuluth script against a gold ground, with blue-ground floral spandrels, marginal medallions marking fifth and tenth verses, opening illuminated double shamsa composed of scrolling vines and split-palmettes, with outer margins filled with interlacing foliage, further double page of illumination for surah al-fatiha and the start of al-baqarah, with scrolling polychrome flowers against blue, red and gold grounds, text within cloud bands, final bifolium with band of illumination surrounding the text, brown leather binding with punched decoration

In reasonably good overall condition, small areas of spotting and staining, some marginal paper repairs, abrasions to extremities, illumination slightly rubbed, as viewed.
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