Qur'an LXI, sura al-mumtahana, v.13 (part) to Qur'an LXIII, sura al-munafiqun, v.5, Arabic manuscript on paper, 13ll., the first and last line in strong black muhaqqaq outlined in gold, the middle line in large gold thuluth, the other 10ll. divided in two panels of smaller black naskh, with gold and polychrome rosette verse markers, gold and polychrome illuminated marginal medallions, one folio with two sura headings in white kufic on a gold and blue illuminated panel, the other folio with one sura heading, some staining
Each folio 15¹⁄₄ x 12in. (38.7 x 30.5cm.)

Anon. sale, Christie's London, 9 October 2014, lot 2

This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
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Lot Essay

Although a Mamluk Egyptian origin cannot be completely discounted, David James suggests that the distinctive layout, as well as the use of a variety of scripts which include muhaqqaq, thuluth and naskh, indicate that this Qur’an was produced outside the area under direct control of the Mamluk Sultans. He suggests that it might have been copied under Rasulid patronage in Yemen (1229-1454). Other folios from the manuscript are in the Khalili Collection (inv. QUR 850, J.M. Rogers, The Arts of Islam: Treasures from the Nasser D. Khalili Collection, 2007, no.165, p.143), the Lygo Collection (Will Kwiatowski, Pages of the Qur'an, the Lygo Collection, n.d., pp.100-101, no.58). A bifolio from the same Qur’an sold in these Rooms, 9 October 2014, lot 2. Another four folios sold in these Rooms, 27 April 2017, lot 11.

Post Lot Text

This lot has been imported from outside the EU for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on the invoice. Please see Conditions of Sale for further information.