A finely illumintaed Qur'an

Description:

Ottoman, dated 1187/1773
18 x 12 cm
A finely illuminated Ottoman manuscript, exemplifying the refined culture of Islamic book production in which scribe, illuminator, and binder each contributed at the highest level of craftsmanship. Bound in dark brown leather with flap, the covers decorated with a finely tooled and gilt interlaced border. The exterior features deeply set lobed central medallions with pendants, richly filled with raised foliate scrollwork and enclosed within radiating gilt roundels. The interior panels are decorated with ungilded medallions containing delicate cloud-band and floral scroll ornament.
The text is arranged within a panel framed by double gilt rules and red outlining, written in 13 lines per page in black, red, and white inks. The opening folios are fully illuminated, and each surah heading is marked with floral gilt headings incorporating white script. Margins are enlivened with occasional polychrome rosettes of abstracted floral form. The principal aesthetic focus, however, lies in the exceptionally refined calligraphy throughout. The colophon, dated 1187/1773, names Faizullah b. Khalil al-Chatti as the scribe.
Formerly in an old private collection in Southern Germany, acquired at Nagel Auktionen, 42T, 18 May 2004, lot 365, copy of the invoice available. Binding worn with scuffing; spine split in one area; old restorations; signs of use throughout. A few leaves repaired along lower margins. Surah 36 (Yā Sīn) is largely damaged. Small loss to the colophon