Folio from a Qur’an, sura 1:6-7; sura 2:1-9, from a Qur’an (F1932.65)

Folio within a bound Qur’an; recto: left-hand half of a double- page frontispiece; Sura al-Fatiha (the Opener) 1:6, 7, Arabic in white muhaqqaq script, title in white thuluth script; vocalized in white; verso: sarlawh, Sura al-Baqara (the Cow) 2:1-8 and part of 9; Arabic in black naskh script, title in white naskh script; vocalized in black; round verse markers; marginal medallions; inscribed marginal medallion containing the word for “first Juz”; one of a group of 5 bound folios (F1932.66-70) from the manuscript (F1932.65); accessioned separately.
Border: the recto is set in gold and lapis illuminated border on cream-colored paper; the verso is set in gold, red, purple, and blue rulings and a gold outer frame on cream-colored paper.

Historical period(s)
Safavid period, 1598 (1006 A.H.)
Medium
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 42 x 27.3 cm (16 9/16 x 10 3/4 in)
Geography
Iran
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1932.68
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Manuscript
Type

Manuscript folio

Keywords
illumination, Iran, Islam, muhaqqaq script, naskh script, Qur'an, Safavid period (1501 - 1722), sura 1, sura 17, thuluth script
Provenance

To 1932
Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962), New York to 1932 [1]

From 1932
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Hagop Kevorkian, New York in 1932 [2]

Notes:

[1] Object file, undated folder sheet note.

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

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Hagop Kevorkian 1872-1962

Description

Folio within a bound Qur'an; recto: left-hand half of a double- page frontispiece; Sura al-Fatiha (the Opener) 1:6, 7, Arabic in white muhaqqaq script, title in white thuluth script; vocalized in white; verso: sarlawh, Sura al-Baqara (the Cow) 2:1-8 and part of 9; Arabic in black naskh script, title in white naskh script; vocalized in black; round verse markers; marginal medallions; inscribed marginal medallion containing the word for "first Juz"; one of a group of 5 bound folios (F1932.66-70) from the manuscript (F1932.65); accessioned separately.
Border: the recto is set in gold and lapis illuminated border on cream-colored paper; the verso is set in gold, red, purple, and blue rulings and a gold outer frame on cream-colored paper.

Inscription(s)

The opening verse, known as the Fatiha, reads:
In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds:
The Beneficent, the Merciful:
Owner of the Day of Judgement.
You alone we worship; you alone we ask for help.
Show us the straight path:
The path of those you have favored; not the path of those who earn your anger nor those who go astray.

Published References
  • Dr. Esin Atil. Exhibition of 2500 Years of Persian Art. Exh. cat. Washington, 1971. cat. 8.
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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