An illuminated Qur'an, copied by Muhammad Hashem al-Isfahani, known as Zargar, Persia, dated AH 1170/AD 1756-57

Arabic manuscript on paper, 243 leaves, 17 lines to the page written in naskhi script in black ink with diacritics and vowel points in black, roundels marking verse-endings, text written within cloudbands on a gold ground throughout, inner margins ruled in black and gold, illuminated marginal devices, sura headings written in red naskhi script on a gold ground within illuminated panels, one double-page frontispiece illuminated in colours and gold, preceded by the index and two further illuminated pages, double page of illumination at end, Qajar lacquer binding depicting roses and other flowers, doublures with flowering bushes, front cover detached
153 x 99 mm.

Provenance
Private UK collection.

The scribe, Muhammad Hashem al-Isfahani, is likely to be the one recorded as the son of Muhammad Salih and known as Zargar, one of the masters of naskhi script, and who was praised by his contemporary poets. His recorded works are dated between AH 1172/AD 1758-59 and AH 1212/AD 1797-98, which makes this Qur'an his earliest recorded work. See Mehdi Bayani, ahval va asar-e khosh-nevisan, vol. IV, Tehran 1358 sh., pp 192-194.

The name of the scribe and the date are written in the two lower cartouches in the double page of illumination at the end of the manuscript.

Important Notice to Buyers
Some countries e.g., the US, prohibit or restrict the purchase by its citizens (wherever located) and/or the import of certain types of Iranian-origin works. As a convenience to buyers, Bonhams has marked with the symbol R all lots of Iranian (Persian) origin. It is each buyer's responsibility to ensure that they do not bid or import a lot in contravention of the sanctions or trade embargoes that apply to them.