Magnificent Qur’an manuscript at Christie’s auction

Christie’s next auction will offer a magnificent Qur’an manuscript, copied by the famous Iraqi calligrapher from the 13th CE, Yaqut al-Musta'simi. Illuminations were added in the Safavid period (16th).

The Qur’an manuscript  is estimated at GBP 300,000 - GBP 500,000.

The Arabic manuscript on paper, 294ff. plus three flyleaves, each folio with15ll. of elegant black naskh in clouds reserved against a gold ground, within gold and polychrome rules, gold and polychrome rosette verse markers, sura headings in large gold thuluth in clouds reserved against a gold ground, occasional sura headings in gold and polychrome illuminated panels, the margins of each folio with gold floral illumination, catchwords, gold and blue marginal medallions, opening bifolio with gold and polychrome illuminated shamsas on a gold and polychrome floral ground, the following bifolio illuminated in gold and polychrome, colophon with name of Yaqut al-Musta'simi and dated shawwal AH 688/October-November 1289 AD, the following folio with a gold and polychrome illuminated cartouche, in gilt stamped morocco with flap, gilt stamped and painted doublures, overall good condition

Text panel 8 ¼ x 4 ¾in. (21 x 11.9cm.); folio 11 ¾ x 6 7/8in. (29.9 x 17.5cm.)