Arts of the Islamic World & India

text: Qur'an, surah al-dukhan (XLIV), verse 25 to surah al-jathiyah (XLV) surah heading

text: Qur'an, surah al-dukhan (XLIV), verse 25 to surah al-jathiyah (XLV) surah heading Arabic manuscript on vellum, 9 lines to the page written in Maghribi in sepia ink, diacritics in red and blue, verses separated by clusters of three yellow roundels, khams marked by a yellow ha', 'ashr marked by a yellow roundel, a surah heading in yellow Kufic 16.2 by 31.8cm.

View 1 of Lot 114: An illuminated Qur'an bifolium in Maghribi script on vellum, North Africa or Spain, 12th/13th century

an illuminated qur'an bifolium in maghribi script on vellum, north africa or spain, 12th/13th century

text: Qur'an, surah al-nisa (IV), middle of verse 19 to middle of verse 22

text: Qur'an, surah al-nisa (IV), middle of verse 19 to middle of verse 22 Arabic manuscript on vellum, 6 lines to the page written in Kufic in dark brown ink, diacritics in red and green, 'ashr marked by a gold illuminated roundel 12 by 18.1cm.

View 1 of Lot 106: Two illuminated Qur'an leaves in Kufic script on vellum, North Africa or Near East, 9th century

two illuminated qur'an leaves in kufic script on vellum, north africa or near east, 9th century

text: Qur'an, surah Ghafir (XL), middle of verse 24 to middle of verse 26

text: Qur'an, surah Ghafir (XL), middle of verse 24 to middle of verse 26 Arabic manuscript on pink paper, 5 lines to the page written in large and bold Maghribi in dark brown ink, diacritics in gold, yellow, brown and blue, verses separated by gold roundels containing abjad numerals, khams marked by an illuminated tear-drop medallion 30.3 by 23.5cm.

View 1 of Lot 115: An illuminated Qur'an leaf in Maghribi script on pink paper, North Africa or Andalusia, late 12th/early 13th century

an illuminated qur'an leaf in maghribi script on pink paper, north africa or andalusia, late 12th/early 13th century

Arabic manuscript on paper, 576 loose leaves, 14 lines to the page written in barnawi in dark brown ink, verses separated clusters of three yellow roundels outlined in red, 'ashr marked by larger red, yellow and dark brown roundels, further text divisions marked by marginal devices, surah headings in red, opening folio with a geometric panel, in brown leather covers with applied leather roundels, leather and suede case

Arabic manuscript on paper, 576 loose leaves, 14 lines to the page written in barnawi in dark brown ink, verses separated clusters of three yellow roundels outlined in red, 'ashr marked by larger red, yellow and dark brown roundels, further text divisions marked by marginal devices, surah headings in red, opening folio with a geometric panel, in brown leather covers with applied leather roundels, leather and suede case leaf: 19.5 by 24cm.

View 1 of Lot 113: A Qur'an, Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria or Chad, late 19th/early 20th century

a qur'an, sub-saharan africa, nigeria or chad, late 19th/early 20th century

Arabic manuscript on paper, 468 leaves, plus 4 fly leaves, 9 lines to the page written in naskh in clouds reserved against a gold scrolling ground, within gold and polychrome rules, the margins illuminated with a gold floral lattice throughout, verses marked by gold rosettes, surah headings in white on gold and polychrome illuminated panels, f.1a with illuminated shamsa, f.1b and f.2a with double page illuminated frontispiece, the following page with illuminated headpiece surmounting text, the text followed by prayers and a falnama in alternating blue and gold nasta'liq, in gilt and tooled brown leather binding with flap, découpé doublures

Arabic manuscript on paper, 468 leaves, plus 4 fly leaves, 9 lines to the page written in naskh in clouds reserved against a gold scrolling ground, within gold and polychrome rules, the margins illuminated with a gold floral lattice throughout, verses marked by gold rosettes, surah headings in white on gold and polychrome illuminated panels, f.1a with illuminated shamsa, f.1b and f.2a with double page illuminated frontispiece, the following page with illuminated headpiece surmounting text, the text followed by prayers and a falnama in alternating blue and gold nasta'liq, in gilt and tooled brown leather binding with flap, découpé doublures text panel: 20.4 by 13.2cm. leaf: 34 by 29.9cm.

View 1 of Lot 159: A large and impressive illuminated Qur'an, Persia, Safavid, 16th century; with Mughal illumination, early 18th century

a large and impressive illuminated qur'an, persia, safavid, 16th century; with mughal illumination, early 18th century

text: surah al-Baqarah (II), middle of v.20 to end of v.26

text: surah al-Baqarah (II), middle of v.20 to end of v.26 Arabic manuscript on vellum, 15 lines to the page, written in stretched Kufic in gold outlined in reddish-brown ink on blue-dyed vellum, single verse divisions marked with silver florets once decorated with coloured dots, faintly incised guidelines 28 by 37cm.

View 1 of Lot 109: A large Qur'an leaf in gold Kufic script on blue vellum, Near East, North Africa or Southern Spain, 9th-10th century

a large qur'an leaf in gold kufic script on blue vellum, near east, north africa or southern spain, 9th-10th century

Arabic manuscript on paper, 239 leaves, 15 lines to the page, written in naskh script in black ink, verses separated by pointed-blue gold roundels, surah headings in gold and white cursive script amidst foliate scrolls on gold and polychrome illuminated panels, margins ruled in gold and blue, illuminated marginal devices throughout, opening double-page illuminated in colours and gold with surah al-Fatihah and surah al-Baqarah in white script within central cusped medallions, the final three leaves with prayers, in floral lacquer binding with stamped central medallion and cornerpieces, with flap, leather doublures with remnants of filigree decoration at centre and corners, gilt-stamped borders

Arabic manuscript on paper, 239 leaves, 15 lines to the page, written in naskh script in black ink, verses separated by pointed-blue gold roundels, surah headings in gold and white cursive script amidst foliate scrolls on gold and polychrome illuminated panels, margins ruled in gold and blue, illuminated marginal devices throughout, opening double-page illuminated in colours and gold with surah al-Fatihah and surah al-Baqarah in white script within central cusped medallions, the final three leaves with prayers, in floral lacquer binding with stamped central medallion and cornerpieces, with flap, leather doublures with remnants of filigree decoration at centre and corners, gilt-stamped borders text panel: 22.6 by 12.5cm. leaf: 32 by 21cm.

View 1 of Lot 147: A large illuminated Qur'an, Persia, Safavid, early 16th century

a large illuminated qur'an, persia, safavid, early 16th century

Arabic manuscript on paper 135 leaves, plus 2 fly leaves, 15 lines to the page written in naskh in black ink, within gold, red and black rules, verses separated by gold roundels with red and blue dots, juz' marked by gold and polychrome illuminated marginal medallions, further text divisions marked by marginal annotations in gold, surah heading in white on gold panels, f.1b with illumination framing text in clouds reserved against a gold ground, in contemporaneous gilt and tooled brown leather binding, with flap, green paper doublures

Arabic manuscript on paper 135 leaves, plus 2 fly leaves, 15 lines to the page written in naskh in black ink, within gold, red and black rules, verses separated by gold roundels with red and blue dots, juz' marked by gold and polychrome illuminated marginal medallions, further text divisions marked by marginal annotations in gold, surah heading in white on gold panels, f.1b with illumination framing text in clouds reserved against a gold ground, in contemporaneous gilt and tooled brown leather binding, with flap, green paper doublures text panel: 32.5 by 19.1cm. leaf: 44.2 by 29.2cm.

View 1 of Lot 230: Volume two of a large illuminated Qur'an, copied by Hasan known as al-Tatari(?), student of Salih al-Na'ili, Turkey or Egypt, Ottoman, dated Saturday end of Jumada I 1284 AH/28 September 1867 AD

volume two of a large illuminated qur'an, copied by hasan known as al-tatari(?), student of salih al-na'ili, turkey or egypt, ottoman, dated saturday end of jumada i 1284 ah/28 september 1867 ad

Comprising juz' XIV and juz' XV, Arabic manuscript on paper, 87 leaves, plus 2 fly leaves, 5 lines to the page written in muhaqqaq in black ink, verses separated by gold rosettes, khams and 'ashr marked by illuminated marginal medallions, surah headings in white on gold and polychrome illuminated panels, f.1a with illuminated frontispiece framing text, final bifolio with text in clouds reserved against a spiral ground, in brown leather binding, with flap

Comprising juz' XIV and juz' XV, Arabic manuscript on paper, 87 leaves, plus 2 fly leaves, 5 lines to the page written in muhaqqaq in black ink, verses separated by gold rosettes, khams and 'ashr marked by illuminated marginal medallions, surah headings in white on gold and polychrome illuminated panels, f.1a with illuminated frontispiece framing text, final bifolio with text in clouds reserved against a spiral ground, in brown leather binding, with flap 29.5 by 22.5cm.

View 1 of Lot 122: An impressive illuminated Qur'an volume, attributable to Ya'qut al-Musta'simi, probably Baghdad, Iraq, late 13th century

an impressive illuminated qur'an volume, attributable to ya'qut al-musta'simi, probably baghdad, iraq, late 13th century

comprising juz' one to juz' five, Arabic manuscript on paper, 213 leaves, 7 lines to the page written in naskh in black ink, verses separated by gold roundels, within gold and black rules, surah headings in gold, with single-page frontispiece and finispiece illuminated in gold, blue and black, f.1b and f.2a and each juz' marked with illuminated double page framing text, in gilt and stamped brown leather binding

comprising juz' one to juz' five, Arabic manuscript on paper, 213 leaves, 7 lines to the page written in naskh in black ink, verses separated by gold roundels, within gold and black rules, surah headings in gold, with single-page frontispiece and finispiece illuminated in gold, blue and black, f.1b and f.2a and each juz' marked with illuminated double page framing text, in gilt and stamped brown leather binding text panel: 3 by 2.2cm. leaf: 3.9 by 2.8cm.

View 1 of Lot 139: An illuminated miniature Qur'an section (juz' I to juz' V), Persia, possibly Herat, late Timurid, late 15th century

an illuminated miniature qur'an section (juz' i to juz' v), persia, possibly herat, late timurid, late 15th century

Arabic manuscript on paper, 294 leaves plus 5 flyleaves, four pages with introductory text, 11 lines to the page written in Bihari in black and red ink, the word Allah and key phrases picked out in gold, opening illuminated double page frontispiece in polychrome and gold, 15 further double pages with illuminated borders, verses separated by gold rosettes outlined in black, further text divisions marked by large gold and polychrome marginal medallions, surah headings in gold on polychrome illuminated panels, ruled in gold and polychrome, with extensive marginal notes, in red leather binding with flap decorated with gilt details along edges

Arabic manuscript on paper, 294 leaves plus 5 flyleaves, four pages with introductory text, 11 lines to the page written in Bihari in black and red ink, the word Allah and key phrases picked out in gold, opening illuminated double page frontispiece in polychrome and gold, 15 further double pages with illuminated borders, verses separated by gold rosettes outlined in black, further text divisions marked by large gold and polychrome marginal medallions, surah headings in gold on polychrome illuminated panels, ruled in gold and polychrome, with extensive marginal notes, in red leather binding with flap decorated with gilt details along edges leaf: 43.5 by 29.5cm.

View 1 of Lot 168: A monumental half Qur'an section in Bihari script, North India, 19th-20th century

a monumental half qur'an section in bihari script, north india, 19th-20th century

Arabic manuscript on paper, 25 leaves, plus 2 fly leaves, 7 lines to the page written in muhaqqaq in black ink, red and blue rosette verse markers, within gold, red and blue rules, gold-speckled margins, surah divisions marked by gold illuminated panels, f.1b with illuminated headpiece surmounting text, in contemporaneous gilt and stamped brown leather binding with flap, red leather doublures

Arabic manuscript on paper, 25 leaves, plus 2 fly leaves, 7 lines to the page written in muhaqqaq in black ink, red and blue rosette verse markers, within gold, red and blue rules, gold-speckled margins, surah divisions marked by gold illuminated panels, f.1b with illuminated headpiece surmounting text, in contemporaneous gilt and stamped brown leather binding with flap, red leather doublures text panel: 18.6 by 11.4cm. leaf: 25.5 by 16.4cm.

View 1 of Lot 124: A rare illuminated Qur'an juz' (XXV), copied by 'Asadullah Kirmani, Persia or Turkey, Timurid or Ottoman, circa 1475

a rare illuminated qur'an juz' (xxv), copied by 'asadullah kirmani, persia or turkey, timurid or ottoman, circa 1475

Arabic manuscript on paper, 173 leaves, 21 lines to the page written in small black naskh, within gold and black rules, verses separated by gold and polychrome roundels, juz', hizb and sajda marked by gold and polychrome marginal medallions, surah headings in red on gold and polychrome illuminated panels, f.1b and 2a with double page illumination framing text, following bifolio with gold floral illuminated margins, in lacquer binding, lacquer doublures

Arabic manuscript on paper, 173 leaves, 21 lines to the page written in small black naskh, within gold and black rules, verses separated by gold and polychrome roundels, juz', hizb and sajda marked by gold and polychrome marginal medallions, surah headings in red on gold and polychrome illuminated panels, f.1b and 2a with double page illumination framing text, following bifolio with gold floral illuminated margins, in lacquer binding, lacquer doublures text panel: 7.9 by 4.2cm. leaf: 10.2 by 6.3cm.

View 1 of Lot 158: An illuminated miniature Qur'an, Persia, Qajar, dated 1235 AH/1819-20 AD

an illuminated miniature qur'an, persia, qajar, dated 1235 ah/1819-20 ad

Arabic manuscript on paper, 265 leaves, plus 5 fly leaves, 15 lines to the page written in naskh in black ink in clouds reserved against a gold ground, within gold and polychrome rules, verses separated by gold and polychrome rosettes, juz', hizb and sajda marked by illuminated marginal medallions, surah headings in red and blue on gold and polychrome illuminated panels, f.1b and f.2a with gold illuminated double shamsa, the following bifolio with gold and polychrome illuminated frontispiece framing text, in floral lacquer binding, lacquer doublures

Arabic manuscript on paper, 265 leaves, plus 5 fly leaves, 15 lines to the page written in naskh in black ink in clouds reserved against a gold ground, within gold and polychrome rules, verses separated by gold and polychrome rosettes, juz', hizb and sajda marked by illuminated marginal medallions, surah headings in red and blue on gold and polychrome illuminated panels, f.1b and f.2a with gold illuminated double shamsa, the following bifolio with gold and polychrome illuminated frontispiece framing text, in floral lacquer binding, lacquer doublures text panel: 25.1 by 14.8cm. leaf: 33.1 by 21.1cm.

View 1 of Lot 157: An illuminated Qur'an, Persia, Qajar, 19th century

an illuminated qur'an, persia, qajar, 19th century

text: Qur'an, surah al-shu'ara (XXVI) start of verse 33 to start of verse 44

text: Qur'an, surah al-shu'ara (XXVI) start of verse 33 to start of verse 44 Arabic manuscript on vellum, 6 lines to the page written in 'eastern' Kufic in dark brown ink, diacritics in red and green, verses separated by gold rosettes, khams marked by gold ha', 'ashr marked by a gold illuminated marginal medallion 14.5 by 11.5cm.

View 1 of Lot 107: An illuminated Qur'an leaf in 'eastern' Kufic on vellum, Persia, 11th century

an illuminated qur'an leaf in 'eastern' kufic on vellum, persia, 11th century

Arabic manuscript on paper, 34 leaves, plus 1 fly leaf, 9 lines to the page written in naskh in black ink, verses separated by red roundels, surah headings in red, f.1a with gold illuminated shamsa, following bifolio with illumination framing text in clouds, in gilt and tooled brown leather binding

Arabic manuscript on paper, 34 leaves, plus 1 fly leaf, 9 lines to the page written in naskh in black ink, verses separated by red roundels, surah headings in red, f.1a with gold illuminated shamsa, following bifolio with illumination framing text in clouds, in gilt and tooled brown leather binding 6.3 by 4.6cm.

View 1 of Lot 132: A rare illuminated miniature Qur’an juz' (XV), Egypt or Syria, Mamluk, 14th/15th century

a rare illuminated miniature qur’an juz' (xv), egypt or syria, mamluk, 14th/15th century

text: Qur'an, surah Hud (XI), middle of verse 117 to surah Yusuf (XII), middle of verse 24

text: Qur'an, surah Hud (XI), middle of verse 117 to surah Yusuf (XII), middle of verse 24 Arabic manuscript on paper, 24 leaves, plus 2 fly leaves, 3 lines to the page written in large muhaqqaq in black ink, with Persian interlinear translation in small black naskh, within later gold and blue rules, verses separated by gold rosettes with green and red dots, 'ashr marked by gold and polychrome marginal medallions, a surah heading in red thuluth, in Mamluk gilt and tooled brown leather binding text panel: 18.8 by 11.2cm. leaf: 26.9 by 17.8cm.

View 1 of Lot 123: An illuminated Qur'an section in muhaqqaq script on paper, Central Asia or Anatolia, circa 1300-35

an illuminated qur'an section in muhaqqaq script on paper, central asia or anatolia, circa 1300-35

Arabic manuscript on gold-sprinkled paper, 445 leaves, plus 4 fly leaves, 13 lines to the page written in naskh in black ink, within gold and blue rules, verses separated by gold roundels with blue dots, further text divisions marked by marginal inscriptions in red and blue and illuminated marginal medallions, surah headings in white on gold and polychrome illuminated panels, every fifth juz' marked by gold floral illuminated margins, f.1b and f.2a with double page illuminated frontispiece framing text, following bifolio with gold floral illuminated margins, in gilt brown leather binding

Arabic manuscript on gold-sprinkled paper, 445 leaves, plus 4 fly leaves, 13 lines to the page written in naskh in black ink, within gold and blue rules, verses separated by gold roundels with blue dots, further text divisions marked by marginal inscriptions in red and blue and illuminated marginal medallions, surah headings in white on gold and polychrome illuminated panels, every fifth juz' marked by gold floral illuminated margins, f.1b and f.2a with double page illuminated frontispiece framing text, following bifolio with gold floral illuminated margins, in gilt brown leather binding text panel: 15.6 by 8.2cm. leaf: 22.8 by 12.5cm.

View 1 of Lot 167: An illuminated Qur'an, copied by Ahmad ibn Mulla Uthman, India, Mughal, dated 1143 AH/1730-31 AD

an illuminated qur'an, copied by ahmad ibn mulla uthman, india, mughal, dated 1143 ah/1730-31 ad

A fine illuminated miniature <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Qur%27an&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Qur'an</a>, copied by a royal scribe from the court of Fath’Ali Shah Qajar.<ul><li>Produced by Abdullah al-Ranani (Persian).</li><li>Qajar Persia: Dated 1225 AH (1815 AD).&nbsp;</li><li>Illuminated manuscript on polished paper.</li><li>191 leaves plus 3 endpapers (2 at front and 1 at back).</li><li>Arabic text.</li><li>21 lines fine and refined naskh script copied in miniature format, in black, 2 opening leaves of prayers copied in central lobed panels, in red, plus an additional set at the end of the volume, opening two facing pages of the Qur’an with exquisitely fine gilt polychrome decorations to borders, interlinear coloring of gold to every leaf of text, catch-words throughout.</li><li>Housed in fine contemporary gilt lacquered boards, with decorative floral compositions to covers set against a red background and framed within a gold foliate border.</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;An exquisite miniature Qur’an form the early Qajar period.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The copyist Abdullah Ibn Ashoub al-Ranani was a royal scribe in the Court of Fath ‘Ali Shah Qajar (r.1797-1834). Al-Ranani was renowned for his fine naskh script which is exemplified here in a delicate miniature format, which is unusual for this scribe whose other traced Qur’ans have been notably larger in scale.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Qur’an was produced to the highest possible specification of the period with no expense spared; every single page of the text is illuminated with interlinear coloring of gold, the script is delicate and legible despite its miniature format, and the binding is exemplary: it was undoubtedly commissioned for a member of the Qajar royal family.&nbsp;

Miniature Illuminated Qur'an

pigments and gold on canvas, bearing Qur'anic verses in monumental thuluth script including the bismillah and surat al-fath v.27 in the central cartouche, surah al-ikhlas in the roundels, further inscriptions in the borders

pigments and gold on canvas, bearing Qur'anic verses in monumental thuluth script including the bismillah and surat al-fath v.27 in the central cartouche, surah al-ikhlas in the roundels, further inscriptions in the borders 168 by 458cm. framed

View 1 of Lot 231: A monumental Ottoman calligraphic panel based on the Kiswa of the Ka'ba, Egypt or Turkey, 17th/18th century

a monumental ottoman calligraphic panel based on the kiswa of the ka'ba, egypt or turkey, 17th/18th century

the Egyptian style gold hilt profusely decorated with chased, engraved and pierced designs, bearing the crowned royal arms on the front of the cross guard; set with a low-arched, grooved, watered steel blade, decorated with Quranic verses in damascened gold, an inscription-filled cartouche, crowned royal arms, and dated; the leather-covered wooden scabbard with gold metal stitching and three gold fittings, chased and engraved with foliate motifs, bearing a coat of arms at the centre, with gold trimmed belt and buckle with coat of arms, with garnet-red velvet covered case

the Egyptian style gold hilt profusely decorated with chased, engraved and pierced designs, bearing the crowned royal arms on the front of the cross guard; set with a low-arched, grooved, watered steel blade, decorated with Quranic verses in damascened gold, an inscription-filled cartouche, crowned royal arms, and dated; the leather-covered wooden scabbard with gold metal stitching and three gold fittings, chased and engraved with foliate motifs, bearing a coat of arms at the centre, with gold trimmed belt and buckle with coat of arms, with garnet-red velvet covered case 93cm. length with scabbard

View 1 of Lot 244: A royal sabre of Khedive Isma'il Pasha presented by Sultan Abdulaziz, Egypt, the blade dated 8 J[umada al-Akhar], 1309 AH/9 January 1892 AD

Results for "Qur'an"