Unknown - Quran - Northern India - 1700

A striking manuscript folio presenting verses 22 to 36 of chapter 15, Surat Al-Hijr (The Stone Valley), which transition from signs of God's power and providence in nature to the narrative of the creation of Adam and the rebellion of Iblis (Satan). The main theological themes drawn out from these verses are: Divine power versus Human limitation in that creation in all its forms belong to God's precise measure, showing humans they are dependent creatures rather than controllers of the earth; and the origins of pride and its associated dangers, told through the stories of Adam and Iblis (satan), highlighting how arrogance, racism and disobedience lead to spiritual downfall and exile from God’s grace.

The scripture is written in Muhaqqaq, divided by large form bands of scripture written in Thuluth cutting across the page providing dramatic effect. The blocks of scripture are flanked by decorative floral pillars predominantly in gold. Decorative gold aya marking the verses and diacritical (devotional marks) in red guiding the reader and the occasional gold lettering. Each of the passages of scripture is framed with simple black and red lines, while the whole is framed with a more complex series of five (5) frame lines consiting of black, gold, red and finally a dark blue line.

The folio reveals deep Arabic influence: particularly the smaller Naskh panels within the guided arabesque cartouches reflecting then synthesis of Arabic calligraphy with the lush decorative vocabulary of the Indian sub-continent. The marginal khamsa and juz (verse) markers serve as navigational aids rooted in the earliest Arabic manuscript traditions.

The condition is very good for its age. The colours remain very fresh and vibrant.

Please note that shipping costs are not solely the cost of the postal delivery service itself. Included within the shipping price is the work undertaken to prepare the article, for photography, for uploading to Catawiki, for preparation and packaging the article securely and for transporting the article to the postal delivery agent for processing.

Also, please consider when bidding on this lot that this artwork is shipped from the UK. Import duties will now have to be paid by the recipient to the Postal Service when the parcel arrives in your country. This will likely vary between 5% and 20% of the sale price depending on your country's Import Rate, so please check this if you are concerned. This is a Tax collected on behalf of your Government and is not an additional fee charged by us.

Regrettably due to new German customs regulations we are now made to pay customs duties before the items are posted, so we have had to add a surcharge to the postage to Germany to reflect this. Any charge above this surcharge we will carry.