A LARGE QUR'AN LEAF IN KUFIC SCRIPT ON VELLUM, NORTH AFRICA OR NEAR EAST, 8TH CENTURY

text: surat al-nahl (xvi), v.94-103
Arabic manuscript leaf on vellum, 16 lines per page written in bold, stretched Kufic script in brown ink, letter-pointing of brown dashes, vocalization of red and green dots, single verse divisions marked with a row of diagonal brown ink dashes, fifth verses marked with an illuminated letter alif, worn at edges, ink on recto worn

Good condition, some losses and nibbles from edges, some stains and discolouration due to age, some rips with repairs, ink is 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."

For a discussion of the Qur'an from which this folio originates, see footnote to lot 1.

An interesting feature of Kufic calligraphy, evident here and on certain other early Qur'an folios, is the intention of the scribe to neatly fill the text space on the page. This results in words occasionally being split between lines , with the first letter or letters at the end of one line and the rest at the beginning of the next (e.g. lines 11-12 of the verso, the word aladhin is split). This shows the graphic and aesthetic intention of the scribe to produce a balanced and regular text space with lines of exactly equal length.