AN ILLUMINATED MINIATURE OCTAGONAL QUR’AN, PERSIA, POSSIBLY TABRIZ, SAFAVID, 16TH CENTURY |

Arabic manuscript on paper, 403 leaves, 11 lines to the page, written in naskh script in black ink, verses separated by gold dots, surah headings in white thuluth against a gold ground, opening double page frontispiece decorated with floral gold and polychrome interlace, further double illumianated page with surah al-Fatihah, in contemporaneous gilt-stamped leather binding decorated with fine interlacing palmettes, in later fitted silver-gilt jewelled case

In very good condition, minor smudged and stains, minor flaking to the opening pages and losses to the illumination, minor repainting, the binding with minor damages but likely to be its original one, restored, the later box with minor scratches, 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."

Octagonal Qur’ans, also called sancak, became popular from the seventeenth century onwards and sixteenth century examples are rare. Often used as amulets to carry on one's person, especially during times of conflict, they were written in a very small script called ghubar (literally 'dust'). Sancak Qur’ans were usually kept in small fitted boxes which could be attached to battle standards. Although lacking a date, the opening bifolium of this sancak Qur’an and its binding are closely comparable with examples made in Persia, and particularly Tabriz in the sixteenth century. The binding, likely the original, is a fine example of Persian craftsmanship of the time. The delicate interlacing clouds and scrolls recall those on a Qur’an dated 959 AH/1552 AD and attributed to Shiraz or Qazvin, now in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art (Acc. No.QUR729, published in James 1992, p.173).