An illuminated Qur’an section on vellum, North Africa or Near East, 9th/10th century AD

text: various verses from surah al-nisa (IV) and surah al-ma’ida (V) and surah al-tawbah (IX)
Arabic manuscript on vellum, 10 leaves, 16 lines to the page, written in neat black Kufic, ruled in gold, blue and red, surah heading and marks in red, verse separated by red roundels, 20th century marginal notes and seals

Bonham’s, London, 20 October 1993, lot 133.

In good condition, some losses to the verso of each bifolium due to the parchment. The recto sides are though clear and crisps, spurious colophon signed Husain ibn 'Ali, various ownership inscriptions and seals, 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."

The last line of the last verse reads ‘written by Hussein ibn Ali’. This attribution is undoubtedly spurious and was likely added later (though note recently) along with the seal impressions.

Ten other Qur'an sections have been identified with related colophons, including one in the National Library of Berlin (inv.no. Minutoli 296), three in the Golestan Palace, Tehran, and various offered at auction (see Christie’s, London, 13 October 1998, lot 11 and 12 October 1999, lot 6). For a full list of see Morteza Karimi-Nia’s article http://kariminia.kateban.com/print/3457#pavNam11.

The text of this manuscript is as follows:

F.1: surah al-Nisa’ (IV) beginning of v.76 to middle of v.85.
F.2: surah al-Nisa’ (IV) middle of v.3 to middle of v.12.
F.3: surah al-Nisa’ (IV) middle of v.29 to middle of v.39.
Ff.4 & 5: surah al-Nisa’ (IV) middle of v.175 to surah al-Ma’ida (V) middle of v.11.
Ff.6 & 7:  surah al-Ma’ida (V) middle of v.93 to middle of v.112.
F.8: surah al-Ma’ida (V) middle of v.19 to middle of v.32.
F.9: surah al-Ma’ida (V) middle of v.70 to middle of v.82.
F.10: surah al-Tawbah (IX) middle of v.30 to v.37.