Lot 36
  • 36

A large illuminated Qur'an, India, Mughal, late 16th/17th century

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Ink on paper, later lacquer binding
Arabic manuscript on paper, 251 leaves plus 4 flyleaves, 17 lines to the page, divided into 2 panels of black naskh script and 3 lines of alternating muhaqqaq script in blue and gold, verses separated by pointed gold roundels, surah headings in red thuluth within illuminated panels, catchwords, margins ruled in colours and gold, spurious colophon in the name of 'Asadullah Kirmani, 885 AH' illuminated marginal devices throughout, each page with scrolling gold vines in vertical columns either side of the text, opening double page frontispiece in colours and gold with text in white muhaqqaq within lobed cartouches, following double page with en suite decoration, later lacquer binding with gold scrolling flowers and gilt-stamped cartouches

Provenance

Remnants of a 19th-century Indian seal impression on a f.1a: 'The seal of the library of... Bahadur, the Nawwab of Murshid Abad, year 12..' 

Condition

In fair overall condition, binding worn and cracked, pages slightly cropped to fit later binding, some splitting to text block borders, various paper repairs throughout, particularly closing pages, frontispiece slightly rubbed, some water staining, 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."

Catalogue Note

The illumination of the present Qur'an fits with what is known of the Mughal style of the late sixteenth century, with its great debt to Safavid Persian illumination of the middle of the century (see, for example, a manuscript in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, London (QUR251), published in David James, After Timur, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, Vol.III, London, 1992, pp.128-135, no.35. However, particular traits which indicate Mughal rather than Persian illumination are the use of unusual shades of blue, green, and the stronger use of orange. The degree of detail afforded to the larger flowerheads is also more typical of Indian work.

The text pages of the manuscript to hand can be compared to those of another Mughal Qur'an sold in these rooms, 19 October 1994, lot 24. Both Qur'ans share the construction of three larger lines of muhaqqaq, with smaller naskh in the lines between, with panels of scrolling floral illumination to either side.