A Qur'an section in eastern Kufic script, Persia, Abbasid, 11th century AD

Arabic manuscript on buff paper, 125 leaves plus 2 flyleaves, incomplete, 13 lines to the page, written in eastern Kufic in black ink, diacritics in red, surah headings in large gold Kufic script, marginal medallions in gold with leafy motif, opening and end folio with illuminated border containing scrolling palmettes, brown morocco binding, one later seal impression on first flyleaf

In fairly good condition, pages slightly cut down and some tears and ware to external edges, with some old waterstains to pages, incomplete, some restoration and consolidation to binding, tears on surface of binding, 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."

This rare and early Qur'an section is written in a vertical format on paper. Whilst various Qur'ans were still being produced at this time on vellum and in a horizontal format, the use of paper had already occurred earlier on in the eastern Islamic lands. This was due to the arrival of the technology for making paper through the capture at a battle near Samarqand in 751 AD of Chinese prisoners, including several who were paper-makers. Thus as early as the eighth century paper was used as a material for writing manuscripts in the lands east of Iraq. In the western Islamic lands (i.e. the Levant, North Africa and the Mediteranean basin), the use of paper took longer to establish, especially for the writing of Qur'ans, for which vellum was the favoured material until the eleventh century. In the far west, in Morocco and Islamic Spain, Qur'ans were written on vellum right up until the fifteenth century.

A similar but complete Qur'an in eastern Kufic script was sold in these rooms, 6 October 2010, lot 12.