FOUR FOLIOS FROM A QUR'AN
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FOUR FOLIOS FROM A QUR'AN

BAGHDAD, AH 588/1192-3 AD

Details
FOUR FOLIOS FROM A QUR'AN
Baghdad, AH 588/1192-3 AD
sura al-insan LXXVI, vv.1-24 (part), manuscript on dark cream paper, 4ff. with 5ll. of elegant dark sepia muhaqqaq, gold roundels between verses with the word aya in gold kufic on alternating pink or green ground, every fifth and tenth verse marked by large illuminated marginal medallion containing exact verse count of each sura in kufic, sura heading in gold kufic within rectangular panels surounded by gold scrolling floral motifs issuing a gold palmette into the margin, parts of each folio lacking, restored
Folio 8¼ x 5½in. (20.8 x 14.5cm.) (2)
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VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium

Lot Essay

These four folios come from a Qur'an which was made for the son of the Caliph Abu'l 'Abbas al-Nasir. The final juz of this important Qur'an was sold in these rooms, 10 October 2000, lot 11. It contained a lengthy colophon with a dedication to Abu Abdallah Muhammad ibn Sayidna al-Khalifa al-Imam Amir al-Mu'minin and was dated 588 equivalent to 1192-3 AD.
He is presumed to be the son of one of the last Caliphs of Baghdad Abu'l 'Abbas al-Nasir al-Zahir Muhammad ibn al-Nasir who reigned from 575/1180 to 622/1225.
The Qur'an is remarkable for the lavishness of its illumination, and is highly important as no other Qur'an is recorded that makes a specific reference to a Caliph.
Other leaves from this Qur'an have been sold in these rooms 9 November 1977, lot 67 and 22 November 1984, lot 111 and at Sotheby's 14 October 1999, lot 9.

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