An illuminated frontispiece from a Kufic Qur'an on vellum, North Africa or Near East, 9th-10th century AD

text: surah al-anfal (VIII), part of verse 39 to end of verse 40
Arabic manuscript on vellum, 5 lines to the page, written in large Kufic script in brown ink, recto with interstices filled with gold vegetation, a large foliate medallion stretching into the margin, outlined in blue, the verso with a decorated panel filled with a floral trellis pattern, scrolling and rope-work borders, with a further large leafy device in the margin

Sir Howard Hodgkin, C.H., C.B.E., London (b.1932)
Acquired in 1968

In fair overall condition, large losses to three corners, creases, a few stains, text abraded, 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 finely-decorated double-sided leaf from a Kufic Qur'an represents the last folio at the end of juz nine from a thirty-volume Qur'an. The opposite right-hand page of text would likely have been illuminated en suite, and the decoration on the verso would have had its mirror image in the form of the final leaf of the juz (without text, for decoration only).

It is interesting that whilst one side is decorated fully in gold, the other side merely has the outer decoration executed in gold, whilst the central vegetal motifs and inner border of interlocking polygons are finely drawn in brown ink. The combination of simple geometric forms and foliate motifs is typical of the illumination of the period and this example is notable for its intricacy.

For related examples in Tunisian public collections and the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, see De Carthage à Kairouan, exhibition catalogue, Paris, 1982-83, nos.345, 347 and 355 and A.J. Arberry, The Koran Illuminated, Dublin, 1967, nos.5, 6, 10, 16, pls.13, 14, 16, 18, 20. Related leaves were sold in these rooms, 25 April 2002, lot 1; 22 April 1999, lot 5; 16 October 1996, whilst a complete section with comparable leaves was sold 16 October 1996, lot 8. A similar double-sided leaf was sold in these rooms 14 December 1987, lot 149, now in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection (see Déroche 1992, pp.123-4, no.67).