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Mughal Quran Fetches Over 14x Estimate at Auction
19 Oct
Summary
- A rare Quran manuscript linked to Emperor Akbar's library sold for £863,600.
- The late 16th-century manuscript includes eight Qur'anic commentaries.
- The sale occurred at Sotheby's London on October 29, 2025, exceeding estimates.
A rare late 16th-century Quran manuscript, documented as belonging to the library of Mughal emperor Akbar, sold for an astounding £863,600 at a Sotheby's auction in London on October 29, 2025. This four-volume work, estimated between £40,000 and £60,000, commanded a price over 14 times its highest valuation after a spirited 15-minute bidding war.
The manuscript is exceptional for its rich decoration and its scholarly content, featuring eight Qur'anic commentaries spanning centuries of Islamic scholarship. Crucially, surviving library seals and inspection inscriptions provide concrete evidence of its provenance within the Mughal imperial collection, tracing its journey through successive reigns.
Key markings indicate its presence in Akbar's library by 1602 and its continued retention through the reigns of Muhammad Shah and even into the early 1970s with a Middle Eastern ambassador. These historical traces connect the manuscript directly to librarians and emperors like Aurangzeb, validating its deep historical significance.
Beyond its historical connections, the manuscript, titled "Perfection in Qur'anic Science," is a masterpiece of calligraphy and illumination. Written on gold-sprinkled paper, its pages feature intricate decoration. Notably, it includes the rare Tafsir-i Muhammadi, potentially created for the imperial scriptorium, highlighting its unique scholarly and artistic value.
