Exceptional 15th-century Quran sells for over £7m at Christie’s

A rare manuscript of a 15th-century Quran has recently sold for £7,016,250, almost 12 times more than its estimated price, in an auction held in London by Christie’s.

Written in Naskh on heavy colored Chinese paper, the magnificent manuscript belongs to the Timurid dynasty (1370–1507), which was a Muslim dynasty or clan of Turco-Mongol origin descended from the warlord Timur (also known as Tamerlane).

The colors used in the Quran include deep blue, turquoise, pink, purple, orange, green, and cream. The text, catchwords, and marginal medallions are illuminated in gold, blue, and white.

The auction took place at Christie’s Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs and Carpets on June 25.

Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie’s is a British auction house. Its main premises are in London and New York City.