Arts of the Islamic World and India

A large illuminated Qur'an leaf in muhaqqaq script on paper, Egypt, Mamluk, mid-14th century

VAT reduced rate

Auction Closed

April 24, 03:45 PM GMT

Estimate

6,000 - 8,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

text: Qur'an, surah al-Hijr (XV), verse 73 to surah al-Nahl (XVI), verse 30

Arabic manuscript on paper, 13 lines to the page written in muhaqqaq in black ink, la illah ila Allah picked out in gold, ruled in gold and black, verses separated by gold rosettes with red and blue dots, verso with a surah heading in white thuluth on a gold and polychrome illuminated panel, an illuminated marginal medallion marking rub'

text panel: 30.1 by 21.9cm.

leaf: 41.1 by 31.6cm.

Ex-collection Kelekian

Ex-private collection, New York, acquired 1985

Sotheby's, London, 8 October, 2008, lot 11

The rhythmic muhaqqaq script, fine illumination and thick, burnished paper of this large Qur’an leaf reflects the high quality of Mamluk manuscript production in the fourteenth century. Further leaves are held in the Freer Gallery of Art (inv. nos.F1930.58, F1930.57 and F1930.56); the Aga Khan Museum (inv. no.AKM243) and the David Collection, Copenhagen (inv. no.21/1987, von Folsach 1990, p.36, no.5). Further leaves were sold in these rooms, 6 April 2011, lot 17; 23 April 1997, lots 57 and 58; 14 December 1987, lot 207; 23 May 1986, lot 262; 12 October 1981, lot 145 and 28 April 1981, lot 190.