Small Ottoman Qur'an, Egypt, signed, located and dated 1830 - Lot 124

Small Ottoman Qur'an, Egypt, signed, located and dated 1830 Manuscript on paper with 15 lines of text per page in naskhi Arabic in black ink, some signs and text divisions inscribed in the margins in red ink. Manuscript introduced by a double-frontispiece in unwân illuminated in gold and polychrome, the text inscribed beneath a poly-lobed mantling and flanked by cartouches giving the titles of the suras. Within the text, the suras are separated by gilded cartouches inscribed in reserve of their title, and the verses by gilded discs. A few illuminated floral medallions adorn the margins, and a floral composition marks the end of the Qur'anic text. On the last page, an illuminated colophon in a circular medallion surrounded by brightly colored areas and cartouches inscribed with poetic verses. The text indicates the town of Balat as the place of copying, the date Jumâda al-Akhîra 1246 H / November 1830 and the name of the copyist Hâfiz Isma'îl az-Zuhdî. Several owners' stamps in black ink, one named Ahmad 'Abdu with the date 1287 H / 1870. Flap binding in garnet-red morocco with stamped, polychrome and gold decoration of a mandorla with a double almond-shaped appendage and four spandrels decorated with flowers. Binding size: 16 x 12 cm Bends, stains, foxing, small tears, some folios detached, gilding and polychromy missing, later annotations, binding worn and restored.