Title: Juz of a Kufic Qur’an (8th/9th Century) | جزء من القران من قرن الثاث هجري
Scribe: Unknown | مجهول
Script: Kufic (Early Abbasid: E.I)
Date: ~ 3rd Century Hijri [183H to 286H] / 9th Century CE (800CE-900CE)
Size: 16 X 12 CM
Folios: 12ff.
Description: 8 Lines/Page | Sepia ink on Parchment with red Nuqat (dots) denoting the Nuqat al I’raab (نقط الاعراب), slanted sepia strokes depict some Nuqat al I’jaam نقط الاعجام with some evidence of green dots. | ‘Ushar (عشر) roundels mark the end of 10 verses- with faded gold (?) in the middle and smaller green and red dots in the outer cogwheel circle. | Many of the folios are damaged in the edges with several chunks missing in the corner having been repaired by being pasted onto vellum. There is some faded ink and some loss of text. The hair side of the parchment is rough and can be felt. | This section starts mid-verse of Surat Al-Kahf, verse 95 and the last page ends in Surat Maryam, mid-verse 80, with just about a page left in the Surah or about 18 verses. |
Incipit: ِقُوَّةٍ أَجْعَلْ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ رَدْمًا (95) آتُونِي زُبَرَ الْحَدِيدِ حَتَّى إِذَا سَاوَى بَيْنَ الصَّدَفَيْنِ قَالَ انْفُخُوا حَتَّى إِذَا جَعَلَهُ نَارًا قَالَ آتُونِي أُفْرِغْ عَلَيْهِ قِطْرًا (96)
Explicit: (79) وَنَرِثُهُ مَا يَقُولُ وَيَأْتِينَا فَرْدًا (80) وَاتَّخَذُوا مِنْ دُونِ
Provenance: This manuscript was in a private collection of the late Mr. James D. (Last name hidden for privacy purposes), a collector from Chester, Pennsylvania who died in Dec. 2018. It was subsequently acquired by an amateur antique seller shortly thereafter for an unknown amount. James D. acquired this manuscript in March, 1964 from the British Bookseller E. Van Dam, from Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, England. E. Van Dam sold many manuscripts to libraries and universities in the U.K. as well as to private collectors around the world. In the correspondence with the collector, E. Van Dam states that this is the earliest manuscript they have handled in 55 years as a bookseller. The manuscript was in exhibition by a Museum or Library in New York in the 60s and was sold to James D. in 1964 for £100 (the equivalent of £1,926.34/ $2,491.53 in today’s currency). The Library’s agent, Mr. Paul S. from Jericho, NY, brokered the exchange with the collector. The collector sought a valuation from Christie’s in 2012, but I’m unaware of their response.
Research Notes: The bookseller of this manuscript, E. Van Dam noted in the correspondence with the collector, dated March 27, 1964, that the only other fragment known is in the India Office Library in Whitehall, London (which is now a part of the British Library). According to the correspondence, the leaves are similar and are catalogued no later than 10th century. | The script closely corresponds to Deroche’s E Group: E.I (1992, pg. 46). This is specifically visible with the independent form of the Alif ا that lacks the commonly used lower curve, resembling the modern day Alif. The Meem م in group E has a uniquely straight or very slightly curved tail dip below the baseline of a circular head. Likewise, the Laam-Alif matches Deroche’s description (1992, pg 47) and the manuscripts in Cat. 62- KFQ16 in the Nasser D. Khalili collection. Deroche (1992, pg 42) notes that several of these manuscripts are dated the the early 4th century Hijir/ 9th century CE. | The script has similarities with KFQ16 in the Khalili Collection and 62.152.2 in the Roger’s Fund at the Metropolian Museum of Arts. There are also similarities in the manuscript in the Minassian Collection at Brown University (A 98 3 Box 1 Folder 34 (Manuscript 8, Folio 6)).
Several Kufic Qur’an sections sold at auction in the past decade. Their prices vary depending on many factors. On May 2nd, 2019, 4 consecutive folios of a 9th century Kufic Qur’an sold at Christie’s (Sale 17177, lot 2) for $35,300. On Oct. 9th, 2014 at Christie’s (Sale 1557, lot 13), 10 folios of a Kufic Qur’an section sold for $17,650. On Oct 25th, 2018, Christie’s (Sale 15505, Lot 3) an incredible 67 folios sold for $176,508. On Oct 7th, 2008, a beautiful section of 6 folios sold at Christie’s (Sale 7615, lot 1) for $41,656; Lot 2- 10 folios of a Kufic Qur’an sold for $70,924.
Accession #: Ms.123j.e