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A rare miniature Qur'an, copied by Husain ibn 'Ali Khatib Persia, dated AH 637/ AD 1239 image 1
A rare miniature Qur'an, copied by Husain ibn 'Ali Khatib Persia, dated AH 637/ AD 1239 image 2
Lot 3

A rare miniature Qur'an, copied by Husain ibn 'Ali Khatib
Persia, dated AH 637/ AD 1239

8 April 2014, 10:30 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £14,375 inc. premium

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A rare miniature Qur'an, copied by Husain ibn 'Ali Khatib
Persia, dated AH 637/ AD 1239

Arabic manuscript on paper, 186 leaves, folios 84-85 and 119-148 later replacements, 22 lines to the page written in minute ghubari script in black ink with diacritics and vowel points in black, illuminated devices in wide outer margins, double-page opening leaves with two panels filled with intertwining floral and geometric motifs, followed by double-page illuminated frontispiece in colours and gold, discoloration, waterstaining, edges thumbed, red morocco with gilt-stamped central lobed cartouche
50 x 45 mm.

Footnotes

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.

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