- 27
An illuminated Ottoman Qur'an Scroll, Turkey, early 18th century
Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- ink on paper with metal
Arabic manuscript on paper in scroll form on a metal spindle, main body of text in 1 column, written to leave micrographic designs in reserve, filled with pious phrases, 2 side-columns filled with text written diagonally, all in ghubari script in black ink, margins ruled in colours and gold, opening illuminated foliate headpiece in colours and gold, comprising interlacing split-palmettes and polychrome flowers, with 6 roundels giving the names Allah, Muhammad, 'Uthman, Abu Bakr, 'Umar and 'Ali, with borders of red, blue and gold strapwork, surah al-fatiha and opening of surah al-baqara written within panels enclosed by green borders filled with cintamani motifs, headpiece with thin red leather backing decorated with large leafy plants
Provenance
The Ottoman Sultan 'Abdulaziz (r.1861-76)
Neslishah Sultan, grand daughter of the last Caliph Abdülmecid (r.1839-61) on her father's side and grand daughter of the last Sultan Mehmed VI (r.1918-22), Vahideddin, thence by family descent.
Neslishah Sultan, grand daughter of the last Caliph Abdülmecid (r.1839-61) on her father's side and grand daughter of the last Sultan Mehmed VI (r.1918-22), Vahideddin, thence by family descent.
Condition
In good overall condition, some paper repairs, illumination bright, a few stains and creases, 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
Qur'ans, amulets and talismans written in ghubar script in scroll form became popular from the seventeenth century onwards and calligraphers competed to display their skill in writing this miniscule script. According to al-Qalqashandi, the Mamluk chronicler who wrote on the subject of calligraphy, the ghubar (literally 'dust') script is thought to have derived from the riqa' and naskh scripts. The script was originally invented to write messages carried by carrier pigeon, but it soon came to be used by calligraphers in the production of scrolls for talismanic and magical writings, and also entire copies of the Qur'an, sometimes incorporated into a micrographic design, as in this manuscript.
The compression of the text into the smallest possible space made it easier for the scroll to be attached to or carried by a person during his travels or in battle in order to protect him from any misfortune that might befall him. In this case, the carriers are likely to have been successive Sultans of the Ottoman dynasty.
The compression of the text into the smallest possible space made it easier for the scroll to be attached to or carried by a person during his travels or in battle in order to protect him from any misfortune that might befall him. In this case, the carriers are likely to have been successive Sultans of the Ottoman dynasty.