TWO ILLUMINATED QUR’AN LEAVES, MESOPOTAMIA, 14TH CENTURY |

text: surah al- An’am (VI) v.1 to end of v.7; surah al-A’raf (VII) v.114 to end of v.129Arabic manuscript on polished paper, 9 lines to the page written in thuluth script in black ink, one surah heading in gold thuluth outlined in black within clouds against a hatched red background decorated with palmettes within a gold and polychrome cartouche, verses marked by gold rosettes, gold and polychrome medallions in the margins

In good condition, minor stains and rubbing, some restoration to the paper not affecting the text, minor flaking and repainting to the illumination, 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 medallions in the margins recall those found on a folio in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (inv.no.1979.295.7), of drop form, decorated with interlacing gold palmettes on a coloured ground. The red etching and palmette design in the surah heading as well as the gold and polychrome floral design recall similar examples produced in Baghdad during the fourteenth century (see James 1988, p.73).