Lot 65
- 65
An illuminated miniature octagonal Qur’an, copied by Muhammad Hashim Lu'lu'i al-Isfahani, Persia, Zand, dated 1184 AH/1770-71 AD
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
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Description
- INK ON PAPER, bound
Arabic manuscript on paper, 158 leaves, 21 lines to the page, written in ghubar script in black ink, verses separated by gold dots, surah headings in red, opening double page frontispiece decorated with polychrome floral scrolls on gold and blue backgrounds, colophon within illuminated polychrome frame, in floral lacquer binding
Condition
In generally good condition, the margins clean and the text clear, the illuminated frontispiece bright, page of the illuminated colophon detached, minor cracks and chips to the bindings, maintaining bright colour, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Qur'ans, amulets and talismans written in ghubar script in scroll form became popular from the seventeenth century onwards and calligraphers competed to display their skill in writing this minuscule script.
According to al-Qalqashandi, the Mamluk chronicler who wrote on the subject of calligraphy, the ghubar (literally 'dust') script is thought to have derived from the riqa' and naskh scripts. The invention of this script is attributed to al-Ahwal who derived it from the riyasi script in the ninth century. The letters are usually less than 3mm and often as small as 1.3mm. The script was originally invented to write messages carried by carrier pigeon, but it soon came to be used by calligraphers in the production of scrolls for talismanic and magical writings, and also entire copies of the Qur'an.
According to al-Qalqashandi, the Mamluk chronicler who wrote on the subject of calligraphy, the ghubar (literally 'dust') script is thought to have derived from the riqa' and naskh scripts. The invention of this script is attributed to al-Ahwal who derived it from the riyasi script in the ninth century. The letters are usually less than 3mm and often as small as 1.3mm. The script was originally invented to write messages carried by carrier pigeon, but it soon came to be used by calligraphers in the production of scrolls for talismanic and magical writings, and also entire copies of the Qur'an.