Lot Essay
This is a very rare dated Ming Qur’an. Emperor Zhengde (r. 1491-1521) who reigned just prior to the completion of this manuscript, had numerous Muslim advisors at his court and also several items of porcelain decorated with Islamic calligraphy. A slightly later and undated Chinese Qur’an was sold at Christie’s, South Kensington, 26 April 2013, lot 627. For other, slightly later, Chinese manuscripts in this sale see lots 30 and 31.