Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript

Unknown

late 8th–early 9th century · Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on parchment · Islamic Art

This eighth- or ninth-century Qur'an was written in a script that is characterized by a rightward slant and by the shape of the vowel ya' in the terminal position, which turns backward to underline the letters that precede it. Like other early Qur'an manuscripts, the writing here omits consonant points (i'jam), making it difficult for the reader to distinguish between letters with similar forms. Red dots indicate short vowels, and a series of short diagonal black strokes act as verse markers.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 8th–early 9th century

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on parchment

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of Adrienne Minassian, in memory of Dr. Richard Ettinghausen, 1979