A LARGE QUR'AN LEAF IN MUHAQQAQ SCRIPT ON PINK PAPER, EGYPT, MAMLUK, CIRCA 728 AH/1327 AD

Surat Al-Mumtahina (lx), vv.6-13, Sura heading of Surat Saff (lxi)
Arabic manuscript folio, ink, opaque watercolour and gold on pink paper, 13 lines per page written in bold muhaqqaq script in black ink, single verse divisions marked with gold rosettes, tenth verse divisions marked in the margins with illuminated radiating roundels containing the word '' ashr'' in gold Kufic script, sura heading written in gold ornamental Kufic script on an illuminated panel with an illuminated device extending into the margin

Adrienne Minassian, New York, 1955

In reasonably good overall condition, nibbles and losses to left hand edge, some stains to outer margins, some light creasing, repair to final word six lines down on reverse, mild rubbing to illumination but calligraphy generally bold and gold bright, 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 folio comes from a large Mamluk Qur'an related in style and calligraphy to several examples of the 1330s, in particular a manuscript in the National Library, Cairo, dated 1331, another in the National Library, Cairo, dated 1334, one in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, datable to 1332-36, and one in the Iran Bastan Museum, Tehran, dated 1338-9 (see James 1988, cats.15, 17,18, 20). The pencil note in the hand of a former owner indicates that the manuscript from which this folio originates was dated 728/1327. While this cannot be taken as fact simply on the basis of an owner's note, it is plausible and may well be true as it fits stylistically with other dated Qur'ans. Another folio from the same manuscript was sold in these rooms 21 April 2008, lot 21, which had been published in a catalogue of Philip Duschnes of New York (a rare book dealer of the mid-20th century), where it was listed as having been copied by the scribe Ahmad bin Abdallah b al-Mansur Hashemi al-Abbasi on 7 Shaban in the Hijri year 728 (1327). The level of detail of this catalogue entry implied that the manuscript's colophon had been known during the middle decades of the 20th century.

The folio measures 45 by 33.5cm in its present condition, and one can see that it has been trimmed, since the outer edges of the marginal illumination for the tenth verse have been cropped. Thus it may have measured closer to 50 by 36cm. in original form. Large, luxurious Qur'ans of this type were typical of Mamluk production of the 14th century.

Another folio from the same Qur'an is in the Aga Khan Museum Collection and has recently been exhibited in the exhibition Spirit and Life, Masterpieces of Islamic Art from the Aga Khan Museum Collection, Parma and London, March-August 2007. It is illustrated in the accompanying catalogue, no.8.