A large finely-illuminated Qur'an, Persia, Safavid, mid-16th century

Arabic mansucript on polished paper, 329 leaves plus 5 flyleaves, 12 lines to the page, written in neat naskh script in black ink, ruled in colours and gold, wide outer margins, illuminated marginal devices throughout, surah headings in white thuluth script within polychrome panels punched with cintamani motifs, f.3b with octagonal cartouche with prayers, following double page with 2 elaborate shamsas, next double page with finely-illuminated frontispiece with a dense ground filled with interlacing vines and chinoiserie cloud bands in colours and two shades of gold, further illuminated headpiece for surah al-Baqarah, single illuminated final folio, lacking last page, fine contemporary binding comprising cut-paper filigreework against polychrome grounds and gilt-stamped chinoiserie decoration, with flap 

In good overall condition, spine repaired, some paper repairs, small tears to opening frontispiece, minor damage to doublure filgreework, pages generally clean, illumination bright and calligraphy bold, slightly thumbed, 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.
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This magnificent and well-preserved Qur'an has all the hallmarks of the most refined manuscripts of the Safavid period. Copies of the Qur'an, as well as illustrated manuscripts, formed part of the trade that passed over the Ottoman-Safavid border in spite of the hostile relations between the two empires that continued for much of the sixteenth century. That Safavid Qur'ans such as this one were particularly cherished in the Ottoman realms is demonstrated by their inclusion among the list of objects brought as gifts by Safavid envoys to the Ottoman court.

A comparable Qur'an to the present manuscript was included in the exhibition Ink and Gold at the Museum für Islamische Kunst, Berlin and published in the accompanying catalogue (See Fraser & Kwiatkowski 2006, pp.118-121, no.35). Other similar Qur'ans were sold in these rooms 6 October 2010, lot 15, 1 April 2009, lot 12 and 27 April 1994, lot 19. The fine binding of the present copy, with the majority of its delicate filigreework intact, can be compared to that of another Safavid Qur'an sold in these rooms as part of A Princely Collection, 5 October 2010, lot 27.