Description:

A Rare Illuminated & Floral Decorated Mughal Qur’an, India, 18th Century

A magnificent and richly illuminated Mughal Qur’an, produced in 18th-century India, distinguished by its elaborate floral ornamentation, vivid colour palette, and refined calligraphy. This manuscript is an exquisite example of Mughal book arts, blending Persianate aesthetics with Indian naturalistic motifs.

Written in neat black naskh script, this large-format Qur’an is adorned with headpieces (sura headings) in gold and blue, flanked by dense floral margins in vibrant tones of red, green, and gold. Each page is framed with an intricate gold rule, and verse markers are stylized rosettes—often rendered in blue and burnished gold. The artistry demonstrates the Mughal atelier’s meticulous attention to botanical form and layout symmetry.

The opening and closing pages are especially lavish, featuring full-page illumination and symmetrical compositions suggestive of imperial commissions. Such Qur’ans were often presented at court or donated to prominent religious institutions.

Dimensions:
Length: 34 cm
Width: 21.5 cm

 

Comparable Examples:

  • A Mughal Qur’an, early 18th century, with similarly rich floral margins, sold at Sotheby’s, London, April 2018, for £137,500, praised for its exceptional colour preservation and courtly craftsmanship.

  • A Mughal Qur’an manuscript, dated 1712, formerly in the British Library, features comparable decorative motifs and script, attributed to the atelier of Shah Alam I.

  • A floral-decorated Indian Qur’an, late 18th century, auctioned by Bonhams, Islamic & Indian Art Sale 2022, for £68,400, noted for its page-by-page consistency and botanical detailing.

 

Note:
This Qur’an reflects the Mughal imperial tradition of luxury manuscript production—fusing piety with artistry. Its floral elegance, scale, and exceptional preservation mark it as a collector’s treasure, suitable for inclusion in major collections of Islamic manuscript heritage, or as an institutional highlight in exhibitions on Mughal art, Islamic spirituality, or South Asian history.

 

Accepted Forms of Payment:

MasterCard, Visa, Wire Transfer

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May 6, 2025 1:00 PM BST
London, United Kingdom

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Bid Increments
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£0 £99 £5
£100 £199 £10
£200 £499 £20
£500 £999 £50
£1,000 £1,999 £100
£2,000 £4,999 £200
£5,000 £9,999 £500
£10,000 £19,999 £1,000
£20,000 £49,999 £2,000
£50,000 £99,999 £5,000
£100,000 £199,999 £10,000
£200,000 £499,999 £20,000
£500,000 £999,999 £50,000
£1,000,000 + £100,000