Title: Qur’an (Juz 3) from China |الجزء الثالث من مصحف من الصين
Scribe: Unknown | مجهول
Script: Muhaqqaq Sini
Date: ~11th Century Hijri (1009 – 1112) / 17th Century CE (1601 – 1700)
Size: 28 X 22 CM
Folios: 55ff.
Description: 5 Lines/Page | Laid Paper without Watermarks | Black ink in Muhaqqaq Sini script outlined in red with the verse endings and diacritical marks (tashkeel) in red. The script is a variation of Muhaqqaq that is often called “Sini” (Chinese) because the brush strokes are similar to Chinese calligraphy. | Rubrication of Surah Headings within a gold illuminated border and flowers extending into the margins. Double page frontispiece that is decorated in gilt (gold) and polychrome. There is a similar endpiece except with elaborate tree designs in the margins. These designs integrate local Chinese style and design, which makes these type of Qur’an manuscripts easily identifiable as Chinese origin.
Complete Juz 3 :
Incipit: تلك الرسل فضلنا بعضهم على بعض منهم من كلم الله ورفع بعضهم درجات واتينا عيسى ابن مريم البينات
Explicit: وماتوا وهم كفار فلن يقبل من احدهم ملء الارض ذهبا ولو افتدى به اؤلائك لهم عذاب أليم وما لهم من ناصرين
Provenance: N/A Private Collection
Research: Qur’ans scribed in China between the 10th Hijri/ 16th CE and 14th Hijri / 20th CE centuries have a uniquely identifiable style. Most of the frontispieces of the Ajzaa’ will have 3 Lines/page of Muhaqqaq text in a unique style known as Sini (Chinese) within a Gold decorated border with elaborate designs or with green, red, or gold tree and floral designs. The remaining pages are usually 5 lines per page. There are many other examples of beautiful Qur’ans scribed in China during the Qing Dynasty that demonstrate the rich Islamic heritage in China.|
There have been several manuscripts of the Qur’an scribed in China on auction in the past few years. While many have been sold, some of this similar style are: (1) A Juz of a similar style Qur’an from the 18th/19th century sold at Christie’s Arts & Textiles of the Islamic & Indian worlds (London, Oct 10, 2014) Lot 371 for $1,613. (2) A complete set of 30 Ajza’ of an 18th Century Qing Chinese Qur’an sold at Christie’s Arts of the Islamic and Indian Worlds (London, April 23, 2015) Lot 36 for $30,600. (3) Another 16th to 18th century Juz sold at Christie’s Asian Art and Indian and Islamic Art (London, Oct 12, 2006), Lot 594 for $700. (4) Another Juz of a 17th/18th Century Qur’an sold at Christie’s Arts & Textiles of the Islamic & Indian Worlds (London, Oct. 11, 2013) sold for $1,936. (5) A 30 volume 18th Century Qing Chinese Qur’an sold at Christie’s Art of the Islamic Worlds (London, Oct 8, 2015) Lot 29 for $19,364. (6) A Juz from a 19th or 20th century Chinese Qur’an sold at Christie’s Arts & Textiles of the Islamic and Indian Worlds (London, April 28, 2017) Lot 180 for $6,777. (7) A Juz from a 17th/18th Century Chinese Qur’an sold at Christie’s Arts of Islam Including Property from the Bequest of Adrienne Minassian sold to benefit Brown University Sale (Lot 623, London, April 26, 2013) for $3,227. | There are too many others to list here from several other major auction houses from Hammer Prices ranging from $250 for a single Juz to $8,000 for a single Juz.
Accession #: Ms.114j.c