- 10
A QUR'AN LEAF IN KUFIC SCRIPT ON VELLUM, NORTH AFRICA OR NEAR EAST, 9TH CENTURY
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description
- vellum
text: Surat al-munafiqin (lxiii), v.7 - surat al-taghabun (lxiv), v.6
Arabic manuscript leaf on vellum, 15 lines per page written in clear Kufic script in brown ink, no letter-pointing (i'jam), vocalization of red dots, verse divisions marked with rows of angled dashes, fifth verse divisons marked with a small Kufic letter ha (representing the number 5 in the abjad system), tenth verses marked with a small illuminated roundel containing an abjad letter in gold (in this case ya, representing 10), sura heading (Surat al-Taghabun) written in gold Kufic script
Arabic manuscript leaf on vellum, 15 lines per page written in clear Kufic script in brown ink, no letter-pointing (i'jam), vocalization of red dots, verse divisions marked with rows of angled dashes, fifth verse divisons marked with a small Kufic letter ha (representing the number 5 in the abjad system), tenth verses marked with a small illuminated roundel containing an abjad letter in gold (in this case ya, representing 10), sura heading (Surat al-Taghabun) written in gold Kufic script
Condition
Overall good condition, nibbles to edges, some fading of text and staining due to age but overall bright and legible, 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
This fine Qur'an leaf is a relative rarity on the market. Only three other leaves from this manuscript have previously appeared at auction. All were sold in these rooms: 18th October 2001, lot 8, 10th October 1988, lot 160 and 15th April 1985, lot 15. The script is a well-balanced and well-spaced Kufic that corresponds with Déroche's category D.I. According to Déroche, the D.I group of Kufic scripts can be associated with the early 9th to early 10th century, based on dated waqf inscriptions found on several examples, including the famous Amajur Qur'an, which bears a waqf inscription dated 262/875-6, when it was donated to a mosque in Tyre by the Abbasid governor of Damascus (Déroche 1992, pp.36-7).