QAJAR IRAN, MID DHU'L QA'DA AH 1317/MID-MARCH 1900 AD

Details

MINIATURE QUR'AN
Qajar Iran, mid Dhu'l Qa'da AH 1317/mid-March 1900 AD
Manuscript on ivory paper, 339ff. with 18ll. of tiny black naskh, the margin of each folio with gold floral meander, gold dots between verses, sura headings in red on illuminated panels, two illuminated bifolios at opening and one at closing, penultimate folio with colophon with dedication to Amin al-Sultan and dated middle of Dhu'l Qa'da 1317 and signed by the scribe 'Abd al-Husayn al-Isfahani, original black lacquer binding with gold vine design, red lacquer doublures with green cartouche inscribed in gold with the name of the dedicatee
Folio 2 5/8 x 1 7/8in. (6.5 x 4.7cm.)

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Lot Essay

This exquisite small Qur'an was, according to the colophon, copied and ornamented for the health of Mirza 'Ali Asghar Khan Amin al-Sultan, the Prime Minister.
Mirza 'Ali Asghar Khan titled Sahib Jam Amin al-Mulk, Amin al-Sultan and Atabak-i Azam (1274-1325/1858-1907) held relatively small posts until the death of his father in 1300/1883. At that time he became influential with the Shah and in many departments. His appointments included Ministry of Court, Interior, Treasury, Customs and Royal Granaries. He was eventually appointed Prime Minister in 1310/1893. He was dismissed and re-appointed several times and was given the title Atabak-i Azam by Muzaffar al-Din Shah in 1318/1900.
The scribe Mirza 'Abd al-Husayn Khush-Navis, known as Qudsi (1287-1366/1871-1947) was the eldest son of Muhammad 'Ali Isfahani from whom he learnt the art of calligraphy.

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