Arabic manuscript on paper, 235 leaves, 18 lines to the page written in neat naskhi script in black ink with diacritics and vowel points in red and black, illuminated markers between verses, inner margins ruled in gold, catchwords, illuminated devices and occasional commentaries written in minute shikasteh script in wide outer margins, sura headings written in thuluth script on a gold ground within illuminated rectangular panels, in good condition, later lacquer binding, covers with central rectangular panels decorated with a 'fleshy leaf' marbled design executed in brown on a red ground, the forms picked out in gold, in the style of Abu Talib, spine repaired, doublures with central medallions decorated with floral and vegetal motifs in gold on a black ground
122 x 74 mm.

Footnotes

Compare the design of the lacquer covers of the binding with the top and sides of a pen box dated 1857-58 in the Khalili Collection: see Khalili, Robinson & Stanley, Lacquer of the Islamic Lands, Part One, pp. 224-225, nos. 177 and 178.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows:
Buyer's Premium Rates
28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price;
27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,000 up to and including £800,000;
21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

•	Exempt from VAT
	Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.

A small illuminated Qur'an copied by Ibn Muhammad Shafi' Ali Qajar Persia, dated AH 1235/AD 1819-20

Own a similar item?

Looking for a similar item?

Ask about this lot

Matthew Thomas