A section (juz’) of a Qur’an, sura 3:92-170

Manuscript; section of Qur’an; Sura al- Imran (Family of Imran) 3:92-170; text: Arabic in brown magribi script with heading in thuluth script; vocalized in purple, tashdid and sukun in blue; 40 folios with a frontispiece (fols. 1 verso, 2 recto), inscription (folio 39 verso) and a finispiece (folio 40 recto), an unwan (folio2 verso), verse markers, roundels, stylized palmettes, and pear-shaped medallions containing the word for “ashr” or “khams”; standard page: one column, 6 lines of text.
Binding: The manuscript is bound in a modern cloth-cover.

View right to left

Historical period(s)
12th century
Medium
Ink, color and gold on parchment
Dimensions
H x W (average): 21 x 20 cm (8 1/4 x 7 7/8 in)
Geography
Probably North Africa or Spain
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1931.9
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Manuscript
Type

Manuscript

Keywords
finispiece, frontispiece, illumination, Islam, maghribi script, Qur'an, sura 3, thuluth script
Provenance

1931
Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962), New York 1931 [1]

From 1931
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Hagop Kevorkian, New York in 1931 [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)

Hagop Kevorkian 1872-1962

Description

Manuscript; section of Qur'an; Sura al- Imran (Family of Imran) 3:92-170; text: Arabic in brown magribi script with heading in thuluth script; vocalized in purple, tashdid and sukun in blue; 40 folios with a frontispiece (fols. 1 verso, 2 recto), inscription (folio 39 verso) and a finispiece (folio 40 recto), an unwan (folio2 verso), verse markers, roundels, stylized palmettes, and pear-shaped medallions containing the word for "ashr" or "khams"; standard page: one column, 6 lines of text.
Binding: The manuscript is bound in a modern cloth-cover.

Inscription(s)

Folio 39 verso, "the complete eight juz'; praise the Lord (Allah); blessing upon Muhammad, prophet of God."

Label

The fine rounded forms and sweeping curves of the letters here are typical of the so-called maghribi (western) script, used throughout North Africa and southern Spain. These pages are also remarkable for their intricate, illuminated designs. A medallion within the text signifies a verse ending, while a larger one in the margin indicates the end of a section. The last line of text, written in gold in a densely spaced, cursive script, contains blessings on the Prophet Muhammad. To accentuate the break in the text, an elaborate sunburst medallion occupies the entire left page. While these markers were essential to the correct reading of the text, they also added significantly to the beauty of the pages. The purple coloring is the result of mildew damage.

The verse is from the third chapter of the Qur'an, known as al-Imran, (The Family of Imran) and refers to all Hebrew prophets from Moses to Christ. It celebrates the joys and divine bounty reserved for Muslims.

Published References
  • Heather Ecker. Caliphs and Kings: The Art and Influence of Islamic Spain, Selections from the Hispanic Society of America. Exh. cat. Washington. cat. 57, pp. 66-69, 148.
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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