- 14
A large Illuminated Qur'an, PROBABLY EGYPT, Mamluk, first half 14th century
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
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Description
Arabic manuscript on paper, 459 leaves, 11 lines to the page written in elegant muhaqqaq script in black ink with diacritics and vowel points in black, gold rosettes decorated with blue and red dots between verses, lacking crosswords, sura headings written in elegant mamluki thuluth in gold with diacitics and vowel points in gold, the words madina and makiyyah written in gold and occasional gold at end of sura headings, the word waqf which appears on the recto of most leaves tampered with to read Yusuf, the words hizb and sajda written in gold in outer margins, two double pages of fine illumination at beginning and end incorporating the opening and closing suras, modern brown leather incorporating the covers, doublures and flap of a much smaller 15th century Mamluk binding
Condition
some creasing, rubbing and staining, ink is strong, cover is in good condition, overall good condition, 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The illumination of this Qur'an is very similar to that of a Mamluk Qur'an, Cairo, c.1306-15, signed by the illuminator Sandal, in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin (James 1988, no.3, fig. 31).