Unknown - Quran Manuscript - Illuminated Chinese - 1760

A striking and rare illuminated Quran manuscript, containing "The Opening" - Al-Fatijah, fully illuminated, chapter 6 "Cattle" - Al-Anam and chapter 48 " The Triumph" - Al-Fath with du'a, in Chinese (Sini) script.

Manuscript on paper, 70 leaves (pencil foliation), seven lines to the page in black naskh-style script, with red ruled frames, gold verse roundels and red recitation marks providing devotional guidance. The opening spread is fully illuminated gold double frame with floral and arabesque panels containing Surat al-Fatiha (1:1-6). Al-Fatiha continues on the next page into Surat al-An'am (6) under the gold- ground heading (image 2623h). This runs to its end over ff.59-62 and its final words open the following page, where a gilt header introduces Surah Al-Fath, 29 verses, Medinian. This chapter closes on page 69, followed by a further gold geometric heading for a du'a (supplication) of divine names and petitions and relief from hardships and sorrows which continues and closes the volume on page 70 (image 2623u). The text is continuous with no gaps in the sequence.

Later owners annotations in Arabic and Persian or Turkic hands appear in the margins and on the final pages, along with pen trails and numerals.

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