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Lot Essay
Folios from this luxurious Qur'an have been variously attributed to Damascus and more generally to the Eastern Islamic world. However, the presence of abjad markers using the letter sad for the numerical value of 60 instead of the letter sin suggests that this manuscript was produced in the western Islamic world (Fraser, 2006, p.44).
The script style in this Qur’an section is closest to what François Déroche describes as group 'C.II' which is typified in this case by the smooth curved 'nun' terminal broadening into a triangle (Déroche, 1992, p.41). The form of the final 'nun' with its curved rather than angular form and extended tail can be linked to the later development of the distinctive curved 'nun' shape found in maghribi script.
The elegant use of mashq or keshide with the extension of the horizontal letters to great aesthetic effect is beautifully executed throughout this section. This extension of horizontals as well as the returning of the tail of the final 'ya' form is more usually found on leaves grouped by Déroche into group 'D'. The group is associated more with the late ninth and tenth century rather than firmly in the ninth century as other examples in group 'C'.
The frequent use of mashq also indicates the luxurious nature of this manuscript where the letters of the text are free to occupy space regardless of the material cost in terms of gold and vellum. It is likely that a wealthy imperial patron was responsible for commissioning such a luxurious copy of the Qur'an. Being the wealthiest courts of the western Islamic lands at this period, the Fatimids or the Spanish Umayyads are the most likely patrons of this costly manuscript.
Further folios from this same Qur’an were sold in these Rooms, 26 April 2012, lot 55, 27 April 2017, lot 23 and 2 May 2019, lot 2. A further section, comprising eight folios was sold at Sotheby’s, London, 6 April 2011, lot 167.
The script style in this Qur’an section is closest to what François Déroche describes as group 'C.II' which is typified in this case by the smooth curved 'nun' terminal broadening into a triangle (Déroche, 1992, p.41). The form of the final 'nun' with its curved rather than angular form and extended tail can be linked to the later development of the distinctive curved 'nun' shape found in maghribi script.
The elegant use of mashq or keshide with the extension of the horizontal letters to great aesthetic effect is beautifully executed throughout this section. This extension of horizontals as well as the returning of the tail of the final 'ya' form is more usually found on leaves grouped by Déroche into group 'D'. The group is associated more with the late ninth and tenth century rather than firmly in the ninth century as other examples in group 'C'.
The frequent use of mashq also indicates the luxurious nature of this manuscript where the letters of the text are free to occupy space regardless of the material cost in terms of gold and vellum. It is likely that a wealthy imperial patron was responsible for commissioning such a luxurious copy of the Qur'an. Being the wealthiest courts of the western Islamic lands at this period, the Fatimids or the Spanish Umayyads are the most likely patrons of this costly manuscript.
Further folios from this same Qur’an were sold in these Rooms, 26 April 2012, lot 55, 27 April 2017, lot 23 and 2 May 2019, lot 2. A further section, comprising eight folios was sold at Sotheby’s, London, 6 April 2011, lot 167.