Illuminated Juz' from a Qur'an in Sini script,

£10,000 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

The earliest surviving Chinese Qur'ans date to the fifteenth century and were associated with Chinese Sunni Muslim communities called the Hui. Qur'ans from this region were frequently copied into Juz' format, with each seciton being an equal thirtieth division of the holy text. The present example contains the text to Juz' Rubama (XIV) and contains unusual illumination with floral motifs reminiscent of a lotus flower. Single volume, illuminated manuscript on thick buff paper, in Arabic, containing the text for Juz' XIV, from Surah al-Hijr (15:1) - An-Nahl (16:128), 50 leaves including front free endpaper, plus a later blank inserted at the end, complete, 258 x 195 mm; single column, 5 lines bold sini script, in black with some vocalisation in red, surah heading in gold, opening double-pages with gilt polychrome panels around the text-blocks, with head-pieces decorated with lotus flowers and floral motifs, leaves double-ruled in red, catch-words in red, some light age-toning along lower margins, some closed tears also to lower margins, early ink inscription in Arabic to verto of first leaf; contemporary blind-stamped limp leather with flap, covers with central medallions framed within multiple carouches forming panelling to covers, leather a little rubbed in places.

• Binding: Hardcover

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