An illuminated Qur'an, Persia, Qajar, second half 19th century

Arabic manuscript on polished cream paper, 268 leaves plus 4 fly-leaves, 15 lines to the page written in fine naskh script in black ink, interlinear rules in gold, verses separated by small illuminated rosettes, surah headings in written in blue thuluth script on a gold ground within a cartouche on illuminated panels, margins ruled in colours and gold, catchwords in black in margins, gold and polychrome verse markers in the margins marking juz’ and hizb divisions, outer margins ruled in red, three opening double pages with fine illumination in polychrome and gold, final page with a rectangular panel of illumination, contemporary lacquer binding with central medallions, pendants and corner-pieces of floral decoration on gold-sprinkled fields, central medallions rubbed, with leather spine

27.1 by 17.3cm.