Western Asiatic Mixed Stone and Glass Necklace Bead Collection

Flat bead formed from two sheets of gold, discoid with a trapezoidal spur to each end. 3.01 grams, 35 mm



From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.

Rebound as a hardback with full leather binding, gold block border to covers and central arabesque foliage panel; 56 laid-paper pages expertly conserved, usage wear to edges repaired and restored, with drypoint lineation; title page with header block of calligraphic thuluth script reserved against a polychrome field with decorative foliage scrolls and blocks of colour; four lines of black script below; second page with similar header block, six lines of text with black and red diacritics and floral embellishments; rest with typically nine lines of text with red and black diacritics, floral motifs with liquid gold pointing; marginal notes and concentric roundel motifs with rosette to the centre and tulip motif above; page 54 with two lines of footnotes. 954 grams, 30.4 x 38 cm



From an important family collection started in the late 1950s. Property of a West London, UK, gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12279-220401.

The text is a juz' (chapter or internal division) from the Qur'an, the Surah Maryam (of Mary) to the Surah Al-Anbya (of the Prophets), Books 19 to 21.

Modelled in the round with incised detailing. 80 grams total, 44-67 mm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.