A QUR'AN BIFOLIUM IN MUHAQQAQ SCRIPT ON PAPER, ANATOLIA OR CENTRAL ASIA, EARLY 14TH CENTURY

Text: Surat Al-Ma'ida (v), v.2
Arabic manuscript pages, ink, color and gold on paper, three lines per page written in bold muhaqqaq script in black, interlinear Persian translation in black, illuminated rosettes applied within text area, border decoration of scrolling gold foliate motifs and Kufic script in blue and red and cornerpieces of geometric designs added later

In generally good overall condition, some minor losses to leaf edges with associated repair, some small stains, calligraphy strong and bold, illumination generally bright, 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 stat.mes nt made by Replica Shoes '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."

Leaves from this well known Qur'an section have been convincingly linked to a thirty volume manuscript of circa A.D. 1335 of Anatolian or Central Asian origin (James 1988, pp.173-4, cat. nos.58-60) which, although devoid of the decorative border and surrounding Kufic script, has an interlinear Persian translation arranged in the same manner and in the same hand. Previous to that attribution, these leaves had often been ascribed to Sultanate India (e.g. Falk 1985, no.116). The Kufic script and decorative schemes around the borders are not contemporary with the muhaqqaq script of the Qur'anic text, but were probably added in the post.mes dieval period, perhaps in Central Asia. The present bifolium is a particularly handsome example of this interesting manuscript, and bifolia are much rarer than single folios.

Other leaves from the same Qur'an are now in museums and private collects ions including the British Library, the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, the Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., the Rietberg Museum, Zurich, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Nasser D Khalili collects ion, London. For further discussion see James 1988, pp.173-4, cat. nos.58-60; Arberry 1967, pl.48; Losty 1986, no.5; James 1992a, no.51.