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an old manuscript with writing and symbols on it
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162 - Middle Ages – Arabia Four pages (2 leaves) from a large-form…
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Estimate €1,000 - €1,500
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Description
Middle Ages – Arabia Four pages (2 leaves) from a large-format Qur’an (Mushaf). – 15 lines. Arabic, manuscript on paper. Probably Mamluk Egypt or Syria, alternatively Iran or Central Asia, 1300–1450. Decoration: The verses are separated by rosettes in gold with red dots and a green or blue centre. The margins feature blue-and-gold palmette motifs with fine blue lines, which presumably mark verse numbers or sections. Two leaves also feature round marginal medallions with a blue double ring, a gold field and a red beaded border, likely serving as markers for larger sections. - Palaeography: The script is a bold, regular book script of the Naskh family with hints of Muhaqqaq/Rayan. Characteristic features include rounded letter forms, long straight alifs and lams, and widely extended terminal forms of nun, ya and ra. The text is fully vocalised in black ink. No colour coding for hamza or vowels is discernible. The hand is even and professional. The dating to the 14th to 15th centuries is based on the style of writing, the paper, the decoration featuring gold rosettes and blue-and-gold marginal marks, as well as the colophons. Regarding the content: The four leaves form two consecutive pairs taken from two widely separated sections of the Qur’an. Regarding the content: Sura 6 (al-Anam, ‘The Cattle’), approximately 6:145–158/159: The text begins with the emergency exception regarding forbidden foods, in which God is forgiving and merciful. This is followed by the dietary regulations for the Jews (animals with claws, certain fats) as retribution for their defiance. The deniers, who justify their idolatry by invoking God’s will, are rebuked for following nothing but conjecture. This is followed by the ethical commandments: not to associate anything with God, to honour one’s parents, not to kill one’s children out of poverty, to avoid immoral acts, not to kill unjustly, to protect the property of orphans, to maintain fair measures and weights, and to speak justly. This is followed by a reference to the straight path, the revelation to Moses and the blessed Book. The passage threatens the deniers with the Day of Signs, on which faith will be of no avail. The refrain ‘shian’ (‘in factions’) continues. Sura 21 (al-Anbiya, ‘The Prophets’), approximately 21:3–31: The unbelievers regard the Prophet as a mere human being, a sorcerer or a poet, and demand a sign. The text refers to earlier messengers, who were also human, and to cities that were destroyed. Heaven and earth were not created as a game; the truth shatters falsehood. God is One; the angels praise Him tirelessly; and other gods would have corrupted the world. The claim of a son is rejected. The signs of creation range from the separation of heaven and earth, through water as the source of life, to the mountains and paths. The exclamation ‘wa-jaalna s-sama’ leads to 21:32. Both passages are linked by the oneness of God and the rejection of idolatry. – Partly slightly discoloured and stained, with minor defects at the margins, one page with a somewhat longer tear; otherwise a well-preserved Arabic manuscript. Medieval – Arabia – Four pages (2 ff.) from a large-format Qur’an (mushaf). 15 lines. Arabic, manuscript on paper. Probably Mamluk Egypt or Syria, alternatively Iran or Central Asia, 1300–1450. Decoration: The verses are separated by gold rosettes with red dots and green or blue centres. In the margins are blue-and-gold palmette marks with fine blue lines, which presumably indicate verse counts or sections. Two leaves also feature round marginal medallions with a double blue ring, a gold field and a red beaded border, probably marking larger divisions of the text. Palaeography: The script is a bold, regular book hand of the naskh family, with elements reminiscent of muhaqqaq/rayhan. Characteristic features include rounded letter bodies, long straight alifs and lams, and widely extended final forms of nun, ya and ra. The text is fully vocalised in black ink. No colour coding for hamza or vowels is discernible. The ductus is even and professional. The dating to the 14th–15th century is based on the letterforms, the paper, the decoration featuring gold rosettes and blue-and-gold marginal marks, and the catchwords. Content: The four leaves form two consecutive pairs from two widely separated parts of the Qur’an. Sura 6 (al-An’am, ‘The Cattle’), approx. 6:145–158/159: The text opens with the exception made for cases of necessity regarding forbidden foods, for which God is forgiving and merciful. It continues with the dietary rules for the Jews (animals with claws, certain fats) as a consequence of their disobedience. The deniers, who justify their idolatry by claiming it is God’s will, are told that they are merely following conjecture. Then come the ethical commandments: do not associate anything with God, honour one’s parents, do not kill children out of poverty, avoid indecency, do not kill unlawfully, protect the property of orphans, give just measure and weight, and speak justly. The passage continues with the straight path, the revelation given to Moses, and the blessed Book. The section concludes by warning the deniers of the Day of the Signs, on which faith will no longer avail. The catchphrase ‘shi’an’ (‘in factions’) leads on to the next page. Sura 21 (al-Anbiya’, ‘The Prophets’), approx. 21:3–31: The disbelievers regard the Prophet as a mere man, a sorcerer or a poet, and demand a sign. The text refers to earlier messengers, who were likewise human, and to cities that were destroyed. Heaven and earth were not created in jest, and truth overcomes falsehood. God is One; the angels glorify Him ceaselessly; and other gods would have corrupted the world. The claim that God has a son is rejected. The signs of creation range from the separation of heaven and earth, through water as the source of life, to the mountains and pathways. The catchphrase “wa-ja’alna s-sama’” leads to 21:32. Both passages share the theme of God’s oneness and the rejection of idolatry. Partly slightly discoloured and stained, with minor damage along the edges; one page has a somewhat longer tear; otherwise, a well-preserved Arabic manuscript. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium is payable on the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to the standard margin scheme. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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