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Zena Chiara Masud

A rare and sought after  illuminated bi-folio, from a miniature Qur'an and most likely of Persian origin. Although somewhat dulled through carriage over the ages, the bi-folio is the opening to the Meccan chapter 36, Ya-Sin (Ya-Sin) and is wonderfully illuminated in decorative arabesque with the pages being the mirror image of one another. Miniature Qur'ans were often used as talismanic objects, kept in pouches or worn around the neck. The quality of the illumination suggests is was a commissioned object for a member of the Safavid court or a high-ranking religious patron. 

The script, written in naskh in black ink, is defined by simple verse roundels (aya) in gold with diacritical marking in red providing devotional guidance to the reader.  

The right bi-folio script contains v:1-4 and reads, "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Ya Sin. By the wise Qur'an. Indeed you are of the messengers, on a straight path. 

The left bi-folio script contains v:5-6 and reads, " (On the) Straight (path), revelation of the Exalted in Might, the Merciful, that you may warn a people whose fathers were not warned, so they are unaware". 

The reverse (image 8h) contains v:7-9 and reads: 
Verse 7: "The word has already come true for most of them, so they do not believe." This refers to God's decree of punishment for those who persist in disbelief.
Verse 8: "Indeed, We have put shackles on their necks, and they are to their chins, so they are with heads [kept] aloft." This symbolizes the spiritual stiffness and arrogance of those who refuse to humble themselves and accept the truth.
Verse 9: "And We have placed a barrier before them and a barrier behind them and covered them, so they do not see." This is a metaphor for their willful ignorance. Their own prejudices and rejection of the message have surrounded them, making them blind to the clear signs of guidance. 

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. 


Manuscript

Unknown - Qur'an - Opening Pages - 1690

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Unknown - Qur'an - Opening Pages - 1690

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