- 151
A Qur'an leaf in Kufic script on vellum, North Africa or Near East, 10th century AD
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- Ink on vellum
text: surah Yunus (X), part of verse 94 to part of verse 95
Arabic manuscript on vellum, 3 lines to the page, written in dark brown ink, vocalisation of red and green dots, letter pointing of diagonal brown dashes, single verse marked by a pyramidal arrangement of six gold dots, framed
Arabic manuscript on vellum, 3 lines to the page, written in dark brown ink, vocalisation of red and green dots, letter pointing of diagonal brown dashes, single verse marked by a pyramidal arrangement of six gold dots, framed
Condition
In fair overall condition, ink worn through vellum in some areas, stains and small tears to leaf edges, 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
This leaf comes from an important Qur'an notable for its unusually attenuated and elegant script. The pertinent features which set it apart from normal Kufic are the very tall verticals, the wide, curving terminal nun and the thin, trailing tail of the terminal mim. This particular form of the Kufic script is only found in two other known Qur'ans. Examples of these were sold in these rooms, 5 October 2010, lots 11, 12 and 13; 12 October 2005, lots 1 and 2; 12 October 2000, lots 30 and 31 (where further references are given); the National Library, Tunis (Rutbi 52, Lings and Safadi 1976, no.24); the Musée des arts Islamiques, Qairawan (Carthage, no.9), and the Staatsbibliothek, Berlin (Ms.or.fol.1391, see Berlin 1980, no.35).
Other leaves from this Qur'an are in the Al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait (al-Andalus, fig.1, p.117), the Tareq Rajab Museum, Kuwait, and the Nasser D Khalili Collection, London (Déroche 1992, no.58). For a full discussion of the script of this Qur'an and other related examples see Fraser and Kwiatowski 2006, nos.13 and 14.