Title: Illuminated Qur'an, Likely Qajar Iran. Manuscript on Paper, Circa 1800
Condition: Fair
A richly illuminated early 19th century Qur’an from Qajar Iran, written by hand on paper, possibly produced in Isfahan, one of the larger Qajar sites of production for Koranic manuscripts.
This Qur’an is written in black naskh font throughout in a 15-line format, and illuminated throughout, every leaf bordered in red, a double black line, and framed in gold. There are over 100 Sura headings in white on a gold background. Each Juz’ begins with an illuminated rosette of flowering designs, for each chapter. There are gold roundel verse markers throughout. There is some marginalia in black ink. The opening bifolio is a decorated double page of flowering designs against gold.
One manuscript in octavo, 302 leaves
This manuscript is in fair shape, with heavy rubbing and wear to the original flap binding, with an old binder’s tape repair to the flap. The opening bifolio is heavily worn and restored. There is a gathering of six leaves holding by a thread. Several leaves have tears to them, the worst being the last leaf, with a one third page doing horizontally. Some of the ink has smeared.