A FINE LARGE ILLUMINATED QUR’AN, EGYPT, MAMLUK, MID-14TH CENTURY

A FINE LARGE ILLUMINATED QUR’AN, EGYPT, MAMLUK, MID-14TH CENTURY

Arabic manuscript on paper, 301 leaves plus 5 flyleaves, 13 lines to the page, written in neat black naskh script, replacement final page, verses separated by gold florets, catchwords, fifth verses marked by pear-shaped florets emanating fronds, tenth verses marked by gold foliate roundels outlined in blue within the text, surah headings in large gold thuluth spaced between the text, with filled-in interstices, textual divisions marked in the margin, sometimes in gold within a gold-outlined panel against a feintly-lined ground, ff.1b-2a with double page illuminated frontispiece composed of interlocking geometric motifs enclosed within strap-work borders, the text above and below in white thuluth script within gold cloud bands against a blue vegetal ground, following double page with text within cloud bands against a ground of large scrolling vines resting on feint lines, text above and below in large gold ornamental Eastern Kufic script, further illuminated double page at the beginning of juz' XVI (surah al-Kahf, vv.75-78), modern binding and bespoke box

34 by 27cm.

Condition Report:
In reasonably good overall condition, various marginal paper repairs throughout, pages slightly cropped, illumination bright an ink bold, stains but pages generally clean, last page old replacement with repair, 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."

Provenance:
Ex-collection Jafar Ghazi (d.2007), Munich.