Lot 167: A DOUBLE SIDED QUR'AN FOLIO IN KUFIC SCRIPT ON VELLUM.
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A double sided manuscript folio, likely from a Qur’an, written on vellum (parchment). The text is executed in a monumental, horizontal Kufic script using black ink, characteristic of the Abbasid period. The script features elongated horizontal strokes and lacks consonant diacritics. The folios include early vocalisation (tashkil) in the form of numerous red dots to indicate vowel sounds. Image 1 displays the beginning of a new Surah, preceded by the Bismillah. This folio is decorated with a wide horizontal band of gold illumination (tasmiya) containing decorative Kufic-style motifs, terminating in a polychrome and gold marginal palmette (shamsah) in blue, red, and gold pigments. A small inscription within the verse marker appears to read ‘عشر’ (ashr), identifying it as a marker for the tenth verse.
Approximately 26 x 19.5cm
Condition report:
The folios show signs of significant age and wear. The vellum is darkened and yellowed with a mottled appearance and areas of staining (photos 1 and 2). There are visible creases, undulations, and minor edge fraying throughout. The ink shows some fading and minor loss in several areas. The gold illumination on both folios exhibits rubbing and surface loss, particularly noticeable on the horizontal bands and the verse marker in photo 2. There is a small area of thinning or minor puncture to the vellum near the upper right corner of the second folio (photo 2).
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