AN ILLUMINATED QUR’AN, COPIED BY MEHMED TAHIR AL-SHUKRI, STUDENT OF 'ABD AL-RAHMAN AL-WASFI, ILLUMINATED BY MAHMUD HILMI, TURKEY, OTTOMAN, DATED 1252 AH/1836-37 AD |

Arabic manuscript on paper, 312 leaves plus 4 fly-leaves, 15 lines to the page, written in naskh in black ink, ruled in gold, black and red, verses separated by gold pointed markers, gold and polychrome floral marginal markers, surah headings in white ink against a floral ground within cartouches, gold and polychrome opening double page frontispiece decorated with interlacing floral scrolls, in dark red Ottoman binding decorated with gilt-stamped circular motifs, with flap

In good condition, the margins clean with only occasional stains, minor rubbing, 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."

Mehmed Tahir (d.1846) is reputed to have taught calligraphy to the young Prince Abdulmecid before his coronation as Sultan (1839) and deeply influenced the Sultan's taste and passion for Mahmud Celaleddin's style, of whom Mehmed Tahir had been a student. Mehmed Tahir is not recorded using the nisba al-Shukri before. See Derman 2009, p.142.