NASRID SPAIN, 13TH CENTURY

The dyed paper, elaborate illumination, and bold Maghribi of this folio indicate that it was once part of the so-called 'Pink Qur'an', written in the 13th century. While parchment remained the preferred material for Qur’an manuscripts in North Africa into the 19th century, in Spain a paper industry had thrived since the first paper mill was established in Xàtiva, near Valencia, as early as the 12th century.

A section comprising 205 folios from this manuscript was sold at the Hotel George V, Paris, 30 October 1975, lot 488, and subsequently appeared at Sotheby's, 14 April 1976, lot 247. More recently, a continuous section of 13 folios was sold in these Rooms on 26 October 2023, lot 48.