Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript with Verses from the Surat al-Maryam

Unknown

14th century · Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper · Islamic Art

In these folios from a Mamluk Qur’an manuscript, verses are written in a black ink in naskhi script inside cloud-bands, a device inspired by Chinese art, against a hatched background. The sura heading is decorated with a geometric strip-work pattern, with three eight-pointed stars enclosing the name of the Sura 19 ("of Maryam"), the number of verses (89), and the place of revelation (Mecca) while contour spaces are filled with scrolls.

Artist

Unknown

Date

14th century

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Ehsan Yarshater Gift, 1975