3 - Miniature Quran from the Safavid period

Miniature Quran from the Safavid period Iran, dated 1110 H. (1699 CE) Arabic manuscript on paper, 363 folios, copied in beautiful, regular naskh script in black ink, with vowel marks in red, surah titles in gold, gilded border fillets, and opening with a double illuminated and polychrome frontispiece followed by two double-page spreads with margins richly decorated with gold floral scrolls. The colophon indicates that it was copied on Friday, the 23rd of Shawwal 1110 H (April 24, 1699), with no mention of the scribe. An inscription on the opening leaf indicates that it was acquired in 1313 H (1896–1897) by Husayn Qavam Daftar for the sum of 70 toman. Another note, dated Muharram 1322 H (1904), mentions a transfer to a lady, the mother of Taji Khanum. Morocco leather binding with embossed and gilded flaps. H. 11 x W. 7.5 cm (4.3 x 3 in.) Provenance Family collection, from the estate of Taji Khanum (1891–1976). Husayn Qavam Daftar is documented as a collector in the late 19th century; his name appears notably in the provenance of a manuscript held at the Walters Art Museum (Baltimore, inv. W.651), as well as on a manuscript that came up for sale at Sotheby’s (London, Arts of the Islamic World & India, March 31, 2021, lot 25), confirming his role in the circulation and transmission of manuscript works within Iranian scholarly circles. A Safavid miniature Qur’an, dated 1110 AH / 1699 AD. Arabic manuscript on paper, 363 leaves in fine and regular naskh script in black ink with red vocalization, sura headings in gold and gilt rules, opening with a polychrome illuminated double-frontispiece followed by two double pages with margins richly ornamented with gold floral scrolls. The colophon records the date of completion as Friday, 23 Shawwal 1110 AH (April 24, 1699), without naming the copyist. An inscription on the opening leaf records its acquisition in 1313 AH (1896–1897) by Husayn Qavam Daftar—a documented late-19th-century Iranian collector—for 70 toman, with a later note dated Muharram 1322 AH (1904) recording its transfer to the mother of Taji Khanum. Stamped and gilded morocco binding with a flap.