ISLAMIC, INDIAN ART & JEWELS
Lot 3:
Description
A beautifully preserved and finely illuminated Qur’an section (Juz) from China, dating to the 19th century, showcasing the exceptional artistry and refinement of Chinese Islamic manuscript production.
The opening bifolium is richly decorated with an intricate illuminated double frontispiece, featuring geometric and floral patterns in vibrant gold, red, blue, and black, framed by delicate lattice borders. The use of lavish gold leaf and precise linework reveals a sophisticated aesthetic influenced by both Islamic and Chinese artistic traditions. Each page is written in bold naskh script in black ink, with red diacritical marks and surah headings highlighted in gold. The text is framed within elegant double-ruled red and gold borders.
The folios demonstrate a remarkable sense of proportion and harmony, with balanced calligraphy and exquisite ornamentation. The geometric medallions at the top of the opening pages reflect the meticulous craftsmanship associated with Chinese Qur’anic manuscripts, which flourished in regions such as Beijing and Xi’an under Qing patronage.
The manuscript is bound in its original brown tooled leather binding, embossed with a central medallion surrounded by delicate border designs — a distinctive example of Islamic bookbinding in China.
23 x 17cm
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