A decorative illuminated leaf manuscript from a much used and frail small Quran originating in the state of Bihar, India, circa 1425. This prosperous state, lying south of Nepal close bordering the Ganges river, became Muslim in the 12th century originally under the Bengal Governors. This leaf contains the first 6 verses of the Meccan Chapter 21, Al-Anbiya (The Prophets) which begins with a discussion about the indifference to truth. Prior to the illuminated Surah (Chapter heading) are the last 3 verses of Chapter 20, Ta-Ha. The Muslim calligraphers developed a distinctive style of script called Bihari (after the State), characterised by wide, heavy and extended horizontal lines, and thin verticals. In this case there are 16 lines of fine script with an illuminated header 1/3rd of the way down the folio. Verses within the scripture are separated by decorative 'aya' in gold, with a red centre dot, 4 equally spaced blue markings on the circumference and radials running from the centre to each of these. There is the occasional devotional marking in red within the script. There is a highly decorative illuminated medallion in the shape of a sun-dial with its circumference punctuated with equally spaced rectagular markings, marking out the new Chapter. Above this is a gold roundel marking the 5th verse division of Chapter 20, in this case v.135. The folio has the script framed in red and blue fine lines. Because Bihar is a warm and humid province, manuscripts from there, do not generally keep well. This folio has some water staining and a little creasing whihc can be seen in the images provided. Please note that shipping costs are not solely the cost of the postal delivery service itself. Included within the shipping price is the work undertaken to prepare the article, for photography, for uploading to Catawiki, for preparation and packaging the article securely and for transporting the article to the postal delivery agent for processing. Also, please consider when bidding on this lot that this artwork is shipped from the UK. Import duties will now have to be paid by the recipient to the Postal Service when the parcel arrives in your country. This will likely vary between 5% and 20% of the sale price depending on your country's Import Rate, so please do check this if you are concerned. This is a Tax collected on behalf of your Government and is not an additional fee charged by us.