AN ILLUMINATED SAFAVID QURAN BY MUHAMMAD MAHDI AL-SHIRAZI, PERSIA, DATED 1084 AH/1673 AD

Arabic manuscript on paper, each folio with 14 lines of elegant black naskh script, Persian interlinear translation in red nastaliq, gold and polychrome roundel verse markers outlined in black with blue dots, large gilt and polychrome floral marginal 'juz' and hizb' medallions, text within double gold rules, surah headings in large thuluth script outlined in black on cartouches on a blue floral illuminated ground, occasional marginal commentary in black nastaliq, opening two bifolia fully illuminated in gold and polychrome framing 5 lines in clouds reserved against a gold sprinkled ground, end of the text with prayers and dedication.
The final page signed 'written by Muhammad Mahdi al-Shirazi' and dated in 1084 AH/1673 AD.
In later gilt Qajar lacquer binding with central cartouche enclosing large flower heads and surrounded by spandrels containing scrolling floral vine. 33.5 by 22 cm.