A Qur'an bifolium in muhaqqaq script on paper, Anatolia or...
text: Qur'an, surah 'Abasa (LXXX), end of verse 12 to middle of verse 18; verse 29 to middle of verse 34
Arabic manuscript on paper, 3 lines to the page written in large muhaqqaq in black ink, Persian interlinear translations in small black naskh written on the diagonal, verses separated by gold and polychrome rosettes
28.6 by 19cm.
Condition Report:
The bifolium is in good condition overall. As shown from the illustration, there is some discolouration and staining, consistent with age, and occasional very small abrasions to the paper. The text is clear and legible. Light creases to the paper. The hinge has small areas of reinforcement at the upper and lower edge on one side. As viewed.
Catalogue Note:
These two folios originate from a manuscript thought to have been produced in Anatolia or Central Asia. Further folios from the group have been decorated later with border illumination and extracts from the hadith in Kufic, such as a bifolium sold at Christie's, London, 27 April 2023, lot 15. However, these two folios are undecorated emphasising the bold use of space and striking muhaqqaq script. Other leaves from the same Qur’an are now in museums and private collections including the British Library; the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin; the Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.; the Rietberg Museum, Zurich; the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Nasser D. Khalili Collection, London. For further discussion see James 1988, pp.173-4, cat. nos.58-60; Arberry 1967, pl.48; Losty 1986, no.5 and James 1992a, no.51.
Provenance:
Ex-private collection, New York
Sotheby's, London, 24 October 2007, lot 15
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text: Qur'an, surah 'Abasa (LXXX), end of verse 12 to middle of verse 18; verse 29 to middle of verse 34
Arabic manuscript on paper, 3 lines to the page written in large muhaqqaq in black ink, Persian interlinear translations in small black naskh written on the diagonal, verses separated by gold and polychrome rosettes
28.6 by 19cm.
Condition Report:
The bifolium is in good condition overall. As shown from the illustration, there is some discolouration and staining, consistent with age, and occasional very small abrasions to the paper. The text is clear and legible. Light creases to the paper. The hinge has small areas of reinforcement at the upper and lower edge on one side. As viewed.
Catalogue Note:
These two folios originate from a manuscript thought to have been produced in Anatolia or Central Asia. Further folios from the group have been decorated later with border illumination and extracts from the hadith in Kufic, such as a bifolium sold at Christie's, London, 27 April 2023, lot 15. However, these two folios are undecorated emphasising the bold use of space and striking muhaqqaq script. Other leaves from the same Qur’an are now in museums and private collections including the British Library; the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin; the Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.; the Rietberg Museum, Zurich; the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Nasser D. Khalili Collection, London. For further discussion see James 1988, pp.173-4, cat. nos.58-60; Arberry 1967, pl.48; Losty 1986, no.5 and James 1992a, no.51.
Provenance:
Ex-private collection, New York
Sotheby's, London, 24 October 2007, lot 15
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
