- 22
An Illuminated Mamluk Qur'an, Egypt, circa 1330 AD
Estimate
30,000 - 40,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Ink & Gold on Paper
Arabic manuscript on paper, 13 lines to the page, written in naskh script in black ink, verses separated by gold florets pointed in blue and red, quarter verse divisions marked in the outer margins in large gold script, surah headings in larger gold thuluth script, opening double page illuminated frontispiece in blue and gold, composed of panels of gemetric design emanating from a central stellar motif, strapwork borders, with text in gold-ground lozenge-shaped cartouches in thuluth script in white, with modern brown leather binding
Condition
In fair overall condition, trimmed, creases, some staining and paper repairs, 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
The most striking aspect of the large Mamluk Qur'an is the double-page illuminated geometric frontispiece, which can be compared to two other manuscripts, also thought to have been produced circa 1330. The first, a single-page frontispiece from a Qur'an attributed to the calligrapher and illuminator Ahmad Ibn al-Muttatabbib, is in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art (see James 1992, p.168-9, no.42), and shares a very similar design of a palmette enclosed within a star set within polygons. The second manuscript, a Qur'an signed by Ahmad Ibn al-Muttatabbib in the National Library, Cairo, also shares a comparable double page frontispiece (see James 1998, pp.132-4, cat.17).