Friday 1 May 2026

Lot 71

A Safavid illuminated Qur'an, copied by 'Abdullah al-Yazdi,  Safavid Iran, late 17th Century, 

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Lot 71

A Safavid illuminated Qur'an, copied by 'Abdullah al-Yazdi,  
Safavid Iran, late 17th Century, 

Price Realised: £3,411

Estimate: £3,000 - £4,000

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Price realised is hammer price plus fees (31.2% Buyers Premium inclusive of VAT).

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Lot 71

Description

A Safavid illuminated Qur'an, copied by 'Abdullah al-Yazdi,  
Safavid Iran, late 17th Century, 
 
Arabic manuscript on paper, 239ff., 4fl., 17ll. to the pages written in naskhi in black ink, interlinear rules in gold, inner margins ruled in black, blue and gold, re-margined throughout with loss of Persian marginal notes, double-page illuminated frontispiece, sura headings written in riqa' in gold, seal impression in black ink to first folio, four leaves of prayers at beginning of text, three leaves of commentaries at end of text, lacquered papier-mâchē binding decorated with bold roses amidst other flowers within floral borders, against gold dusted field,  
 
17.5 x 11cm.
 
Footnotes :
The only record of a work signed as 'Abdullah al-Yazdi is a manuscript of the Seven Days Prayers, dated to the 17th Century. There is also an 'Abdullah al-Yazdi, son of Muhammad Muhsin, whose recorded works are dated between AH 1079/AD 1668-69 and AH 1109/AD 1697-98 (this last example of AH 1109 was sold at Christie's, Islamic Art and Indian Miniatures, 28th April 1998, lot 35). See M. Bayani, Ahval va athar-e khawshnavisan, vol. 4, 1358 sh, pp. 85 & 86.

There is a date which perhaps reads AH 1236/AD 1820-21 within the bismallah of sura CX, al-nasr, which if a date, must refer to the re-margining. The manuscript starts with prayers on starting the reading of the Qur'an; prayers according to Imam 'Ali, to be read after having read the Qur'an; on how to perform divination with the Qur'an according to Ibn Tawus and explanations on divination on verses in Persian; symbols (in red) are references to the readers of the Qur'an; on different readings and abbreviations of a few verses. The extra text at the end of the main text consists of various commentaries on meanings of certain words. There is an 18th Century seal impression of a certain Murtada al-Husayni.
Buyer's Premium

The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 26% up to £20,000 (31.2% inclusive of VAT), 25% from £20,001 - £500,000 (30% inclusive of VAT), 20% from £500,001 thereafter (24% inclusive of VAT). The premium price is subject to VAT at the standard rate.

VAT
VAT is not charged on the hammer price unless it is stated that there is 'VAT applicable on the hammer price at the end of the description. Buyer's premium is subject to VAT.
(ARR) - ARTIST'S RESALE RIGHT

Qualifying living artists and the descendants of artists deceased within the last 70 years are entitled to receive a re-sale royalty each time their work is bought through an auction house or art market professional.

It applies to lots with hammer value over £1,000 as follows:
0 to £50,000 - 4%
£50,000.01 to £200,000 - 3%
£200,000.01 to £350,000 - 1%
£350,000.01 to £500,000 - 0.5%
Exceeding £500,000 - 0.25%
ARR is capped at £12,500

Please note ARR is calculated in euros. Auctioneers will apply current exchange rates.

Export of goods

Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain whether an export licence is required before bidding. Export licences are issued by Arts Council England and application forms can be obtained from its Export Licensing Unit. Details can be found on the ACE website www.artscouncil.org.uk or by phoning ACE on 020 7973 5188. The need for import licences varies from country to country and you should acquaint yourself with all relevant local requirements and provisions before bidding. The refusal of any such licences shall not permit the cancelling of any sale nor allow any delay in making full payment for the lot.

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