- 50
Two illuminated Qur'an leaves, Persia, circa 1400
Estimate
10,000 - 12,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Arabic manuscript on paper, ink, gold
text: surah maryam (XIX), beginning of surah to part of verse 9
Arabic manuscript on paper, 5 lines to the page, written in muhaqqaq script in black ink, within cloud bands against a hatched ground, text above and below in eastern Kufic script in white against blue-ground panels filled with scrolling split-palmettes, borders of gold strapwork and flowers, framed
Arabic manuscript on paper, 5 lines to the page, written in muhaqqaq script in black ink, within cloud bands against a hatched ground, text above and below in eastern Kufic script in white against blue-ground panels filled with scrolling split-palmettes, borders of gold strapwork and flowers, framed
Condition
In reasonably good overall condition, leaves attached in the middle by tape, decoration slightly faded, water stain to upper middle, various creases, page slightly cropped, 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
These finely illuminated leaves must originally have come from a lavish manuscript, since this illuminated double page is neither the beginning nor end of the Qur'an, suggesting that there were a number of such grand pages throughout the manuscript. This combined with the quality of the elongated muhaqqaq script, set against a hatched ground and surrounded by fine decorative elements including rigorous scrolls of split-palmettes and gold strapwork, indicates a probable royal commission. The particularly ornamental and angular white Kufic script employed in the heading panels can be closely compared to another double page of the same period in the Chester Beatty Library (MS 1492, see M. Lings, The Qur'anic Art of Calligraphy and Illumination, London, 1976, pp.186-7, no.89).