Lot 34: AN ILLUMINATED QURAN SECTION MANUSCRIPT, 18TH - 19TH CENTURY

The text is written in a clear black Naskh script, arranged in 11 lines per page. Red ink is employed for Surah headings, vocalisation marks, and verse markers. The text blocks are enclosed within ruled borders of red and blue, with individual lines separated by horizontal ruling. The manuscript contains portions of the Quran, including the opening of Surah Al-Mu’minun (The Believers, Surah 23) in image 1 and the opening of Surah Al-Furqan (The Criterion, Surah 25) in image 6. An illuminated headpiece (‘unwan) appears in image 1, featuring a lobed arch with a blue ground, gold foliate scrolls, and geometric diamond accents in red and black. Single-word catchwords are present at the bottom of left-hand pages to aid in page sequencing. The volume is bound in a dark maroon leather cover featuring blind-stamped decoration. The covers display a central lobed mandorla (shamsa) with two pendants, filled with intricate arabesque floral patterns, all within a border of repeating leaf motifs. The paper is a cream-coloured laid stock.

18 by 11.5cm