Mahmud Celaleddin copied Qur’an to lead October 8 sale

A Qur'an copied by Ottoman calligrapher Mahmud Celaleddin is to cross the block at Christie's Islamic art sale in London on October 8.

Celaleddin was born in 1750 and is considered one of the finest Islamic calligraphers of his generation.

Koran Christies Ottoman
Celaleddin was an 18th century Islamic calligrapher

Christie's comments: "By repute the Qur'an is later said to have entered the collection of King Abdulaziz I of Saudi Arabia (r.1932-53), by whom it was then given to Rashid 'Ali al-Gaylani, the three-time Prime Minister of Iraq who is chiefly remembered as an Arab nationalist who attempted to remove the British influence from his country…

"The illustrious provenance of this Qur'an indicates the high esteem in which it has been held since its creation. As the only Qur'an thus far published by this famous calligrapher, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire an important example of Ottoman calligraphy."

The lot is expected to make around £200,000-300,000 ($303,830-455,745).

Other high profile lots include a 14th century silver and copper Rasulid candlestick that carries an estimate of £150,000-200,000 ($228,013-304,018).

It's one of only a handful of surviving pieces of silverware from the Rasulid dynasty, which ruled over Yemen from the 12th to the 15th centuries.

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