A fine Ottoman Qur'an,

Exquisite illumination by a named artist. A beautifully illuminated Qur'an, signed in the colophon with the name of the 'tadhhibuh' (illuminator) Rashid. The presence of an attributed artist is uncommon in Qur'anic material, and this particular Qur'an is worthy of the artist's mention as there is an extraordinary amount of detail in the illumination. The opening two surahs of this Qur'an contain verse markers that illustrate the holy sites of Mecca and Medina in miniature. Furthermore, throughout the Qur'an the verse markers have been painted with a vast variety of designs and it seems that every single marginal illustration is unique in its artistry.

The colophon also names the patron of the manuscript as Seyyed Hafez Hajj' Muhammad Amin and the scribe Seyyed Rashid Muhammad Qurmani.

Single volume, finely illuminated manuscript on paper in Arabic, with verse markers depicting the holy sites of Mecca and Medina (in the opening two Surah), complete, 215 x 145 mm; text in single column, 15 lines fine scribal black naskh, opening two leaves with finely illuminated polychrome decorations extending outwards, gilt roundels marking the verses throughout (often in varying designs), catch-words throughout, marginal illuminations of floral designs marking important sections of the text (all apparently unique in design), colophon and closing prayers at end, some very light thumbing else clean internal condition; bound in contemporary leather boards with flap, central cartouches and corner-pieces in gilt over red overlays, framed within gilt borders, extremities a little worn, some slight chips to leather along spine ends and flap hinges. 215 x 145mm (8½ x 5¾ inches).