Qur'an Manuscript

Unknown

late 9th–early 10th century · Main support: ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on parchment; Binding: leather; tooled · Islamic Art

This is the second volume of a thirty-part Qur’an meant to be read over the course of a month. It is typical of early Qur’ans, but includes some embellishments not found in earlier, more austere copies, such as red vowel marks, rosettes every ten verses, and double-page illuminations at the beginning and end of the book. These compositions in gold are important precursors to what would evolve into a major aspect of Qur’an decoration.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 9th–early 10th century

Medium

Main support: ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on parchment; Binding: leather; tooled

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of Philip Hofer, 1937