Unknown - Quran - Chinese - 1760

An visually arresting illuminated Sini (Chinese Islamic) Quranic manuscript, influenced heavily by Arabic Islamic tradition, from an 18th Century Chinese Qur'an (circa 1760). It is in fair condition.

It presents verses 45-48 of Surah Al-Mursalat (Chapter 77, Those Winds Sent Forth), in bold confident Arabic calligraphy. The three verses read: "Woe the Day to the deniers - and when it is said to them: bow down, they do not bow". They verses form a powerful passage on the defiance of disbelievers on the Day of Judgement.

The Arabic calligraphic tradition asserts itself through the disciplined three-line layout, the use of diacriticals ans the gilded rosette verse dividers which are conventions rooted in classical Quranic manuscript of the Arab world.

It is is a striking example of Sini-Islamic script, with the distinctive Sini Chinese style of Arabic calligraphy developed by Muslim communities in China, suggesting brush strokes. It is in Muhhaqaq, characterised by bold left leaning extended upstrokes of the pen, well-spaced ligatures, and shallow and sweeping horizontal sublinear flourishes. It is 'meticulously produced' as the name implies. During the caliphate of al Ma'mun (813-833) it became the preferred style of the Warraqun (professional scribes) to enable relatively easy reproduction.

Green painted vine scrolls, stylised lotus and peony blossoms fill the margins . A gold lotus crown finial surmounts the test panel, a motif drawn from imperial Chinese visual culture. The fusion of styles reflects the vibrant Hui Muslim manuscript tradition of Yunnan or Gansu.

There is some thinning and some stregthening to the top left of the folio (reverse and front).

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