A LARGE ILLUMINATED QUR'AN, PERSIA, PROBABLY SHIRAZ, SAFAVID, SECOND HALF 16TH CENTURY |

Arabic manuscript on paper, 439 leaves plus 4 fly-leaves, 11 lines to the page, comprising 2 lines of large muhaqqaq script in black at the top and bottom, a middle line of large gold muhaqqaq outlined in black, 8 lines of black naskh against a gold speckled ground, bordered with cartouches with polychrome scrolls on a gold background, ruled in polychrome and gold, verses separated by gold dots, surah headings in white thuluth within polychrome scrolls against a gold ground, numerous verse markers on the margins, opening double page frontispiece decorated with floral gold and polychrome interlace, further double illuminated page with surah al-Fatihah, in stamped leather binding

In good condition, the margins have been cropped and the manuscript has been rebound. The margins are clean, although some areas are affected by dump and stains, the borders are in overall good condition, the text area is occasionally affected by stains, smudges and corrosion but overall the text is clean; the opening pages are in good condition and affected by only minor holes and paper restoration, the colours are though bight as viewed in the catalogue photo; the last page with prayers is missing, but the Qur'an is complete, 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 impressive Qur'an has all the hallmarks of the most refined manuscripts of the Safavid period, and is noteworthy for several reasons, including the lavishness of the illuminations as well as the controlled and balanced hand. It stands as a testament to the artistic achievements of the Safavid manuscript tradition in the sixteenth century. Copies of the Qur'an, as well as illustrated manuscripts, formed part of the trade that passed over the Ottoman-Safavid border in spite of the hostile relations between the two empires that continued for much of the sixteenth century. That Safavid Qur'ans such as this one were particularly cherished in the Ottoman realms is demonstrated by their inclusion among the list of objects brought as gifts by Safavid envoys to the Ottoman court.

A comparable Qur'an to the present manuscript was included in the exhibition Ink and Gold at the Museum für Islamische Kunst, Berlin and published in the accompanying catalogue (See Fraser & Kwiatkowski 2006, pp.118-121, no.35). The structure of the opening bifolium with surah I and II is directly comparable with that found in a Qur'an sold in these rooms, 9 April 2014, lot 50 and copied during the same period. Other similar Qur'ans were sold in these rooms 27 April 1994, lot 19; 1 April 2009, lot 12; 6 October 2010, lot 15, and 5 October 2010, lot 27.