- 32
An illuminated Qur'an juz' (XI), Egypt, Mamluk, circa 1320-40
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Ink on paper and binding
Arabic manuscript on polished paper, 33 leaves plus 2 flyleaves, 7 lines to the page, written in muhaqqaq script in black ink, verses separated by gold florets, f.1a with surah heading in white eastern Kufic within an illuminated panel, following 2 pages with text within cloud bands against a hatched ground filled with scrolling split-palmettes, corresponding final two leaves, surah headings in gold thuluth, later brown morocco binding, with flap
Condition
In generally good overall condition, thumbed, f.1 with some paper repairs, final folios slightly waterstained, spine repaired, 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 Qur’an section is written in a beautiful and delicate muhaqqaq script. It is an example of one of the earliest Mamluk Qur’ans divided into 30-part sections. The earliest such complete Mamluk Qur’an dates from 1330, although boxes for housing such Qur’ans from the 1320s have survived (D. James, Qur’ans of the Mamluks, London, 1988, p.32). This section contains many of the characteristics of Qur’an production in Cairo in the 1320s-40s.
The careful execution of the script and the glossy burnished paper suggest that the Qur’an was made for a patron. The illumination on the title-pages of ornamental Kufic script within a blue panel decorated with gold vegetal scroll is of a style popular in the 1320s (see ibid, figs. 31, 36-38). A contemporary Qur’an in a comparable single-volume, dated 1329, is in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection (ibid, p.162, no.41).
The careful execution of the script and the glossy burnished paper suggest that the Qur’an was made for a patron. The illumination on the title-pages of ornamental Kufic script within a blue panel decorated with gold vegetal scroll is of a style popular in the 1320s (see ibid, figs. 31, 36-38). A contemporary Qur’an in a comparable single-volume, dated 1329, is in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection (ibid, p.162, no.41).