Extremely rare manuscript of the Holy Qur’an on sale

Comparable manuscripts were sold e.g. to the Sultan of Brunei in 2006 for $10 Millions or to an anonymous bidder for $4,3 Million in 2007. The starting price at our forthcoming auction on the 9th of October is set at â‚¬.900.000

An ancient manuscript, no less than 300 years old, from the collection of Abu Zafar Sirajuddin Muhammad Bahadur Shah Zafar (1775 â€“ 1862), the last Mogul Emperor to reign India, and descendant of the Emperor Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir (born in 1618, coronation in 1659 at the Red Fort, Delhi), Son of mogul Shabuddin Mohammed Shah Jahan, the builder of the Taj Mahal.

A rare copy of the Qur’an with lavish golden insets, written in parts by the Emperor Aurangzeb, who was supported by the most talented and artistic calligraphers of the Palace’s own special department.

14,5 x 24 cm, written on paper handcrafted from rice and other natural materials. Very decorative, with ink made from valuable minerals: Ruby, Lapis lazuli, Garnet.

This unique manuscript dates back to the erection of the Taj Mahal by Shahabuddin Mohammed Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan’s son - the Emperor Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir himself - wrote several passages of the manuscript at hand and entrusted the best calligraphers of the Emperor’s Palace with the manufacture of this copy. In his day, he especially arranged for a separate section of the Palace for the artists who helped complete his manuscript. As Aurangzeb’ s father was the builder of the Taj Mahal, several Surahs of this manuscript can be found verbatim in one of the eight world wonders, the Taj Mahal.

Provenance:
The manuscript has been exclusively owned by the family for generations. As its previous owner only ever made the best experiences with Germany during his years at university he chose to commission a German auction house with the processing. It was his great grandfather’s father who was the first to bring the manuscript into the family’s possession. As the governor of the region â€œOudhâ€ in the north of India he served Bahadur Shah Zafar. When the British East India company arrived, evidence of an impending dismissal was beginning to gradually accumulate. As soon as the scale of the looming threat dawned upon the Great Mogul, he wanted to thank his highest confidants by presenting them with precious gifts. The governor (great great grandfather of the previous owner) then chose this rare manuscript from the Palace Library as his personal present, which also bears his own signature.

Contact:
Johann SebÃ¶k | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Stefan SebÃ¶k | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)