AN ILLUMINATED QUR’AN, COPIED BY IBRAHIM TAHIR, TURKEY, OTTOMAN, DATED 1171 AH/1757-58 AD |

Arabic manuscript on paper, 355 leaves plus 3 fly-leaves, 13 lines to the page, written in naskh in black ink, ruled in gold, verses separated by gold and polychrome rosettes, gold and polychrome floral marginal markers, surah headings in white ink against a gold ground within cartouches decorated with flowers, gold and polychrome frontispiece decorated with interlacing scrolls against a blue ground, in fine Ottoman stamped black binding decorated with interlacing scrolls within a lobed centre-piece and corner pieces, with flap

In generally good condition, the margins are clean, with minor stains and minor restorations, minor holes affecting mainly the lower borders, smudges, Arabic numerals written in pencil on the top left corner, the binding probably associated but in very good condition, 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."

A scribe named Ibrahim Tahir is recorded in Rado 1983, p.153, although his date of death is 1167 AH/1753 AD, four year earlier than the date of this Qur’an. Listed as one of the teachers of Mehmed Rasim (Serin 2003, p.148), Ibrahim Tahir was known for having copied several Qur’ans and scientific manuscripts and renowned for his humbleness. In an incident following the death of Mehmed Rasim, Ibrahim Tahir was reported as saying that “those who are called master (ustad) have rarely learnt everything about the art of the pen” (Safwat 2014, p.599).