An illuminated Qur'an, with numerous prayers including the Falnama, in a lacquer binding signed by Isma'il and dated AH 1293/AD 1876-77 Persia, 18th-19th Century Arabic manuscript on paper, 129 leaves, 25 lines to the page written in naskhi script in black ink with diacritics and vowel points in red and black ink, interlinear gilt rules throughout, gold roundels between verses, inner margins ruled in blue, red and gold, catchwords, sura headings written in thuluth in gold, numerous illuminated devices and commentaries in Persian written diagonally in shikasteh in black ink, nine pages at beginning and six pages at end richly decorated with vegetal and floral motifs in colours and gold, one illuminated headpiece in colours and gold, lacquer binding, covers decorated with religious verses written in thuluth script in beige and red on a green ground 186 x 115 mm. Footnotes: Provenance The Shakerine Collection. The lacquer binding is signed 'The work of Isma'il 1293 (1876-7)'. Isma'il has not been identified. He is not the famous artist of the same name, a painter of lacquer and watercolour, who was honoured with the title 'the Chief Painter' (naqqash-bashi) in AH 1275/AD 1858-59, which he always included in his signed pieces. The text, written in riqa', is a saying of the Prophet Muhammad relating to the Qur'an. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: • R • Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. R For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com