Quatrième Juz d'un coran princier Lot n° 129

Commissioned for the son of the caliph Abu'l 'Abbas al-Nasir al-Zahir (r. 1180-1225). Baghdad, Abbasid Caliphate, hegira 588 (= 1192-93) Arabic manuscript on beige paper, 56 leaves, constituting the 4th Juz of the Qur'an, from verse 95 of Sura "Al-'Imran" to verse 22 of Sura IV "An-Nisa", calligraphed in elegant "muhaqqaq" with sepia ink on 5 lines per page. The verse separations are marked by large golden dots inscribed with the word "aya" in golden kufic script on a pink or green background; the five and ten verse separations are marked by a large marginal illumination mentioning the number of verses for each sura. The title of the sura is illuminated in kufic script within a rectangular cartouche decorated with a gilded marginal pastille extended by an octagonal pastille. The manuscript ends with a double page where the text is framed with illuminated borders. Bound without flap in gilt and stamped brown morocco. 21 x 15 cm The 4th Juz of Quran made for the son of the Caliph Abu'l 'Abbas al-Nasir (r. 575-622 AH), Baghdad, AH 588/1192-3 AD Arabic manuscript on dark cream paper, from v. 95 sura 3 "Al-'Imran" until v. 22 sura 4 "An Nisa", 56ff, with 5ll. of elegant dark sepia "muhaqqaq", gold roundels between verses with the word aya in gold kufic on alternating pink or green ground, every fifth and tenth verse marked by large illuminated marginal medallion containing exact verse count of each sura in kufic, sura heading in gold kufic within rectangular panels surounded by gold scrolling floral motifs issuing a gold palmette into the margin, ending bifolio with text within clouds of scrolling palmette meander framed by gold margins, restored. 20.8 x 14.5cm This manuscript is the fourth section of an important Qur'an that was made for the son of the Caliph Abu'l 'Abbas al-Nasir in 588 A.H., i.e. at the end of the 12th century. The appearance on the market in 2000 of the last section of this Qur'an revealed an explicit colophon mentioning a dedication to "Abu 'Abdallah Muhammad ibn Sayidna al-Khalifa al-Imam Amir al-Mu'minin in the year 588", who is considered to be one of the sons of the Caliph of Baghdad, Abu'l 'Abbas al-Nasir Ahmad ibn al-Mustadi who ruled from 1180 to 1225. After him, his son, Abu Nasr al-Zahir Muhammad ibn al-Nasir, ruled for only one year. This Qur'an is remarkable for the sumptuousness of its illumination, and is the only example that explicitly refers to a caliph. It is also considered the last important manuscript of the pre-Mongol era. Its calligraphy and illumination are a synthesis of Qur'anic models from previous centuries. Despite its relatively small size, this Qur'an is remarkable for the richness of its illumination. Each verse is marked with an illumination containing the word "aya" in gold "kufic" enhanced with pink and green, while the fifth verse is marked with a large marginal medallion topped by a stylized crown. No other Qur'an is known that specifically refers to the caliph. This manuscript is the fourth section of an important Quran which was made for the son of Caliph Abu'l 'Abbas al-Nasir in 588 AH, i.e. at the end of the 12th century. The appearance on the market in 2000 of the last section of this Quran revealed an explicit colophon mentioning a dedication to "Abu Abdallah Muhammad ibn Sayidna al-Khalifa al-Imam Amir al-Mu'minin in the year 588", who is considered to be one of the sons of the Caliph of Baghdad, Abu'l 'Abbas al-Nasir Ahmad ibn al-Mustadi who reigned from 1180 to 1225. After him, his son, Abu Nasr al-Zahir Muhammad ibn al-Nasir, reigned only one year. This Quran is notable for the sumptuousness of its illumination, and is the only example that makes reference to a caliph. It is also considered the last important manuscript of the pre-Mongol era. Its calligraphy and its illumination are presented as a synthesis of the Koranic models of previous centuries. Despite its relatively small format, this Koran is remarkable for the richness of its illumination. Each verse is marked with an illumination containing the word "aya" in "kufic" gold enhanced with pink and green, while the fifth verse is marked with a large marginal medallion topped with a stylised crown. No other Quran is known that refers to the Caliph. References: Other parts of this same Quran have been sold at auction. See Christie's, November 9, 1977, lot 67; November 22, 1984, lot 111; October 10, 2000, lot 11; October 14, 2003, lot 1; and Sotheby's, April 18, 1983; Sotheby's, October 14, 1999, lot 9.