Large composite Qur'an, Mughal India, probably 17th century - Lot 11

Large composite Qur'an, Mughal India, probably 17th century Manuscript on paper with 13 lines of text per page in cursive Arabic in black ink, three lines in large characters in blue cartouches framing twice five lines in small characters. Interlinear Persian translation inscribed in red ink in nasta'liq characters. Opening double-frontispiece in unwâns illuminated in gold and polychrome, the text flanked by two cartouches with a gold background and surrounded by a margin decorated with lambrequins. Sura titles inscribed in gold in reserve on a background of red crosses in a blue cartouche, verses separated by gold discs and a few circular or almond-shaped medallions illuminated in gold and polychrome in the margins. Second illuminated double-page at the beginning of Sura Ash-Shu'ara (XXVI), the text framed by a decorative border in gold and polychrome. Bound in garnet morocco with embossed outline decoration. 32 x 22 cm As is, heavily restored manuscript, several folios replaced, including the first and last pages, each folio reinforced and enlarged, tears, stains, wetness, later handwritten notes, text detached from binding. This manuscript bears no date or signature, but its brightly-colored almond-shaped illuminated marginal medallions and cursive script, still close to bihârî, show reminiscences of the productions of Sultanate India. The layout of the text, alternating 3 lines of monumental characters and 5 lines of smaller handwritten characters, is reminiscent of the neighboring Safavid production in Iran, suggesting a Mughal attribution.