Folio from a Qur’an, sura 10:24-31

Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Qur’an; recto: Sura Yunus (Jonah) 10: parts of 24-26 and 27, recto begins with “q[a]dirun”; verso: sura 10: 27-30 and part of 31; Arabic in black kufic script; vocalized in red with clusters of black strokes verse markers; one column; 13 lines of text.

… Read More

Historical period(s)
9th century
Medium
Ink and color on parchment
Dimensions
H x W (overall): 28 x 38.3 cm (11 x 15 1/16 in)
Geography
North Africa or Near East
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1929.72
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Manuscript
Type

Manuscript folio

Keywords
Islam, kufic script, Near East, North Africa, Qur'an, sura 10
Provenance

To 1929
Kirkor Minassian, New York to 1929 [1]

From 1929
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Kirkor Minassian, New York in 1929 [2]

Notes:

[1] Object file, undated folder sheet note.

[2] See note 1. Also see Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List file, Collections Management Office.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Kirkor Minassian 1874-1944

Description

Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Qur'an; recto: Sura Yunus (Jonah) 10: parts of 24-26 and 27, recto begins with "q[a]dirun"; verso: sura 10: 27-30 and part of 31; Arabic in black kufic script; vocalized in red with clusters of black strokes verse markers; one column; 13 lines of text.

Label

Until the later tenth century, most Qur'ans were written on parchment in an angular script, generally known as kufic, after the city of Kufa in southern Iraq, one of the main centers associated with the script’s development. Written with a reed pen, the kufic script is notable for its long horizontal and short vertical strokes. The horizontal format of most early Qur'ans further accentuated the letters’ shallow, sweeping strokes. The thick, almost heavy script of this page is relieved by small, regular spaces that lend it a measured formality.


The tenth chapter (sura) of the Qur'an is entitled “Jonah,” and the verses above describe the pleasures awaiting those who trust in God.

Published References
  • Estelle Whelan. Writing the Word of God: Some Early Quran Manuscripts and their Milieux, Part 1. vol. 20 Washington and Ann Arbor. pp. 128, 134, figs. 93, 330.
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use