A Fine Qajar Qur'an,

Rare illustration of The Prophet in the Qur'an. An exceptional qajar qur'an produced during the reign of fath' ali shah qajar.

This manuscript includes all the qualities and attributes one would expect from a Qajar Qur'an from a royal or courtly workshop, however it includes one remarkable and highly unusual feature: the inclusion of an illustration of Muhammad's heavenly journey (mi'raj) within a central medallion on the opening folio. This drawing is surrounded by a large calligraphic floral composition comprising of a repetition of a verse from the Qur'an (particularly verse 51 from Surah al-Qalam 'Chapter of the Pen' LXVIII).

Figurative art, particularly depictions of the Prophet Muhammad, are a rare feature in Islamic art. The appearance of The Prophet in human form is scarce and generally limited to works of poetry and history, never associated with texts of a religious nature. In Islam, the Qur'an is believed to be the literal word of God (as it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad) and the scripture and physical properties of the inscribed codex therefore carry a certain spiritual significance that sets it apart from all other texts; this is generally why the art of calligraphy has so much scope and significance in the Islamic world. The presence of a drawing of the prophet inside a bound Qur'an is an exceptional rarity and demonstrates a remarkable break away from the traditional boundaries of Islamic art and book production.

No other records of the scribe Haji Ja'far al-Qazwini have been traced, however the naskh calligraphy executed in the manuscript is of a high calibre and rather unusually is continued on the lacquered binding that houses the manuscript.

Single volume, illuminated manuscript on paper, in Arabic, complete, 312 leaves plus two endpapers, single column,14 lines scribal black naskh with interlinear translation to Persian in red nasta'liq throughout, gold and polychrome rosette verse markers, sura headings in gold thuluth reserved against cobalt blue cartouches illuminated with gold swirling vine on illuminated panels, the plain margins with occasional black nasta'liq commentary in clouds reserved against gold, illuminated medallions to mark juz', the suras written in red thuluth in the upper corner of each leaf, within thin gold outer rules, catchwords, the opening bifolio with 10 lines of prayers set within gold illuminated margins, the following bifolio similar with unusual calligram on f.2v in the shape of a flower with a drawing of the Prophet mounted on Buraq at the centre, the following bifolio with 7ll. black naskh set within gold and polychrome illuminated and pricked margins, the final bifolio with gold and polychrome illuminated margins, internally clean and crisp condition; housed in contemporary gilt lacquered binding, signed 'Haji Ja'far' and dated AH 1237 / 1821-2 within a border of white thuluth inscriptions of Prophetic hadith in cartouches, the doublures undecorated, a very handsome volume. Dimensions; 273 x 179mm (10¾ x 7 inches).