A PROFUSELY ILLUMINATED QUR'AN MANUSCRIPT, COPIED BY MUHAMMAD QASIM IBN MUHAMMAD QASIM AL-QARI, INDIA, DECCAN OR MUGHAL, DATED 1026 AH/1617 AD

Illuminated Arabic manuscript on paper, 363 leaves, 12 lines per page written in neat naskhi script in black ink, gold discs between verses, fifth and tenth verse divisions marked in margins with illuminated devices, sura headings written in white thuluth script on finely illuminated panels, three fully illuminated opening double pages, illuminated double page at end, twenty-nine further illuminated double pages (one for each juz' division), colophon on final page in a cursive hand in black ink over-sprinkled with gold, 19th century European-style brown morocco binding

Published in 1400 Years of  Islamic Art, 1981, no. 19

Good overall condition, corners of cover slightly worn away, a few minor stains, otherwise good bold colours, gold pigment slightly rubbed away on some pages, 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."

This is an interesting and highly luxurious Qur'an manuscript, notable for the profuse and fine illumination. At the beginning are three fully illuminated double pages; the first bearing two exquisite polychrome shamsas on gold ground that extends right to the edge of the pages, the next bearing the text of Surat al-Fatiha and a more typical display of frontispiece illumination, again with gold ground extending to the edges, the third bearing the opening text of Surat al-Baqarat. There is then a fully illuminated double page for each juz', and the closing double page, bearing the text of Surat al-Nas and the closing prayer is also fully illuminated.

The illumination, while clearly showing a strong influence from Safavid Persia, nevertheless has certain details of style and palette that point to an origin in one of the Muslim states of India, perhaps the Mughal Empire, or more likely one of the Deccani Sultanates.

For a Safavid Qur'an with a similar quantity and arrangement of illumination, see lot 27 in this sale.