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A leaf from the 'Five Surahs', copied by Abu Muhammad 'abdul Qayyum ibn Muhammad ibn Karamshah-i Tabrizi, Persia or Mesopotamia, probably Baghdad, Jalayrid, circa 1370 AD
Estimate
15,000 - 18,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- ink on paper, not bound
text: surah al-kahf (XVIII), end of verse 42 to beginning of verse 46
Arabic manuscript on paper, 5 lines to the page, written in bold muhaqqaq script in black ink outlined in gold, verses separated by illuminated roundels with central knotted motifs, text block ruled in blue, gold and red
Arabic manuscript on paper, 5 lines to the page, written in bold muhaqqaq script in black ink outlined in gold, verses separated by illuminated roundels with central knotted motifs, text block ruled in blue, gold and red
Condition
In generally good condition, smudges and stains, minor restorations to the border which do not affect the calligraphy, creases, 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 originates from a manuscript of selected chapters from the Qur'an known as the 'Five Surahs' which begin with the phrase al-hamdulillah (chapters I, V, XVIII, XXXIV and XXXV). The colophon of the manuscript, now housed in a private collection, gives the name of the scribe as Abu Muhammad 'Abdul Qayyum Ibn Muhammad Ibn Karamshah-i Tabrizi. Abolala Soudavar has suggested on stylistic grounds that the compilation of Qur'anic verses from which this leaf originated was made for the Jalayrid ruler Shaykh Uways (Soudavar 1992, no.19, pp.50-51).
The extremely fine illumination is reminiscent of earlier Ilkhanid imperial Qur'ans, such as Uljaytu's Mosul Qur'an and the superb muhaqqaq script looks forward to the monumental Qur'an attributed to Baysunghur but more likely commissioned by his grandfather Timur (r.1370-1405). Furthermore, David James observes that the calligrapher achieves "...Faultless perfection...equalled only by Suhrawardi in the Qur'an produced in Baghdad in the early years of the 14th century" (James 1992, p.16).
Other leaves from this manuscript are in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection; The Art and History Trust Collection, now on loan to the Sackler Gallery, Washington; and the David Collection, Copenhagen. Two leaves were exhibited in Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneva (see Islamic Calligraphy-Sacred and Secular Writings, Geneva, 1988, nos.23a and 23b, pp.100-104), whilst a further leaf was exhibited in the exhibition Writing the Word of God - Calligraphy and the Qur'an at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 27 October - 3 February 2008 (published in Roxburgh 2007, p.46-47, fig.20).
Other leaves from the same manuscript were sold in these rooms, 19 October 2016, lot 159; 7 October 2015, lot 213; 8 October 2008, lot 19; 1 April 2009, lot 6 and 9 April 2008, lot 24.
The extremely fine illumination is reminiscent of earlier Ilkhanid imperial Qur'ans, such as Uljaytu's Mosul Qur'an and the superb muhaqqaq script looks forward to the monumental Qur'an attributed to Baysunghur but more likely commissioned by his grandfather Timur (r.1370-1405). Furthermore, David James observes that the calligrapher achieves "...Faultless perfection...equalled only by Suhrawardi in the Qur'an produced in Baghdad in the early years of the 14th century" (James 1992, p.16).
Other leaves from this manuscript are in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection; The Art and History Trust Collection, now on loan to the Sackler Gallery, Washington; and the David Collection, Copenhagen. Two leaves were exhibited in Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneva (see Islamic Calligraphy-Sacred and Secular Writings, Geneva, 1988, nos.23a and 23b, pp.100-104), whilst a further leaf was exhibited in the exhibition Writing the Word of God - Calligraphy and the Qur'an at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 27 October - 3 February 2008 (published in Roxburgh 2007, p.46-47, fig.20).
Other leaves from the same manuscript were sold in these rooms, 19 October 2016, lot 159; 7 October 2015, lot 213; 8 October 2008, lot 19; 1 April 2009, lot 6 and 9 April 2008, lot 24.