WITH ADDED COLOPHON IN THE NAME OF YA'QUT AL-MUTA'SIMI, BAGHDAD SCHOOL, LATE 13TH/14TH CENTURY; IN LATER SAFAVID REMARGINED AND ILLUMINATED BORDERS

The colophon of this manuscript bears the name of Yaqut al-Musta'simi (d. circa 1298 AD), and was produced in the late thirteenth century. Yaqut is considered one of most important calligraphers in the Islamic world. He is famed for being the teacher of six pupils who went on to become well-known calligraphers in their own right. Our manuscript was later illuminated in Safavid Iran, in the late 17th or early 18th century. The quality of the illumination and binding, indicate that it was a prized object, probably having been considered the work of the master Yaqut throughout its ownership. Manuscripts executed by Yaqut, especially his Qur'ans were hugely sought after and as a result copied by his followers in homage to the great artist, such as our example. These men hoped to perfect their hands by emulating the master who today is considered one of the most accomplished calligraphers of the Islamic world. One fairly common feature of Yaqut Qur'ans, both those by him and the ones which were copied from his work is that they have often been re-margined and re-illuminated, as is the case with the present Qur'an.

An inscription on f.1r, records that this Qur’an entered the collection of ‘Abd al-Wahhab Nuri in Rajab AH 1315/1897-98 AD. 'Abd al-Wahhab Khan (d. 1916), son of Mirza Kazim Khan Nizam al-Mulk, and the grand-son of Aqa Khan Nuri, prime minister of Iran from 1851-58. 'Abd al-Wahhab Khan received his father's post of Minister of the Army and the title Nizam al-Mulk after his father's death in 1889. He was appointed Governor of Tehran in 1892 and later appointed Governor of different provinces. See M. Bamdad, Dictionary of National Biography of Iran, 1700-1900 ,vol. 2, Tehran, 1966, pp.320-23.

For information on the collection of Hossein Khadjeh Nouri please refer to the note of lot 38.