An illuminated Ottoman Qur'an, copied by Ahmad ibn Isma'il, Turkey, Ottoman, dated Rajab 1197 AH/June-July 1783 AD
Auction Closed
October 26, 12:30 PM GMT
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Arabic manuscript on paper, 263 leaves, plus 2 fly-leaves, 15 lines to the page of naskh written in black ink, ruled in gold, black and red, verses separated by gold roundels with red and blue dots, sura headings written in white thuluth on gold illuminated panels, further text divisions in margins in gold thuluth and illuminated floral devices, opening bifolio illuminated in gold and polychrome, each page with illuminated panels and keywords and phrases picked out in red and mirrored on the facing page, colophon signed and dated, in Ottoman leather gilt-stamped binding, paper doublures, with flap, brown leather slip case
19.2 by 12.8cm.
This extensively illuminated Qur’an displays how the calligrapher has masterfully and deliberately manipulated the format of the text to create a harmonious sense of symmetry. On almost every page, the calligrapher has picked out a word or phrase in red and mirrored this in red on the facing page. To coordinate the placement of the highlighted texts, he has carefully planned illuminated cartouches within the text and worked with the illuminator to create a beautifully balanced and unified aesthetic throughout the manuscript.
The Qur’an ends in prayers and is followed by a statement mentioning that this copy of the Qur’an written 'ala al-rasm al-'uthmani. This phrasing reinforces how the scribe has adhered to the text approved by Caliph 'Uthman and used in his Qur'an and those written thereafter and reiterates the importance of preserving a unified and accurate text in Qur’an production in later centuries.
You May Also Like
