
Oliver White
Head of Department
Sold for £14,375 inc. premium
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This Qur'an manuscript is an unusual and early example of both the use of paper, as opposed to vellum, after the capture of Chinese prisoners (including papermakers) in battle near Samarkand in AD 751, and the gradual transition to vertical rather than horizontal layout of the text. Its small size made it easy for the owner to carry it on his person when travelling or in battle.
For comparative examples of this development, from the 11th Century, written in vertical format and on paper, though in eastern kufic script, see Sotheby's, Arts of the Islamic World, 6th October 2010, lot 12, and 6th April 2011, lot 178; also lot 181.