A Rare Qur'an Leaf in Kufic Script on Vellum, North Africa or Near East, circa 9th century AD

text: surah al-rum (XXX), part of verse 26 to part of verse 31
Arabic manuscript on vellum, 10 lines to the page written in kufic script in brown ink, employing an unusual and entirely circular letter 'mim', vocalisation in the form of red and green dots, wide outer margins

In fair overall condition, some staining to the outer margins, ink with some rubbing to either side, more so on the verso, a few small nibbles, 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 Qur'an leaf is extremely unusual in that it bears a distinctly circular mim letter form, rare on early Qur'an manuscripts. The compact letters generally fall into Déroche's 'group C' in terms of form, but the circular mims are certainly more pronounced in this instance. A futher Qur'an folio executed in a comparable style can be found in the Bibliothèque Nationale de Tunis (published in the Musée du Petit Palais de la Ville de Paris exhibition catalogue De Carthage à Kairouan, Paris, 1982, p.257, no.340).