Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript

Unknown

first half 10th century · Ink and gold on parchment · Islamic Art

This folio features a number of decorative elements that were meant to assist the reader by rendering the text of the Qur’an more legible. The kufic letters are written in brown ink, with the words’ vowels indicated above and below letters in red dots. Other markings in blue, green, and yellow further clarify pronunciation. Rosettes, as in the left margin, mark the end of verses. Sura (chapter) headings are enclosed in gilded, decorative boxes that begin with palmettes in the right hand margin. The parchment support places the Qur’an in the early Islamic period, since paper came to dominate from the eleventh century on.

Artist

Unknown

Date

first half 10th century

Medium

Ink and gold on parchment

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1937