Folio from a Qur’an, Sura 5:52-54

Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Qur’an; recto: Sura al-Ma’ida (the Table Spread) 5: part of verse 52, 53, recto begins with “ya’tia bi’l fathi”; verso: sura 5:53 and part of 54, verso begins with “bi Allahi”; Arabic in black “eastern kufic (New Style)” script; illuminated inscribed verse markers; vocalized in red, tashdid and sukun in blue, letters for recitation in brown; one column; 4 lines of text.
Border: The text area is filled with palmette scrolls and set within an illuminated frame that terminates at the top and bottom in a semi-medallion.

Historical period(s)
11th-12th century
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 32.3 x 21.4 cm (12 11/16 x 8 7/16 in)
Geography
Afghanistan
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1939.56
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Manuscript
Type

Manuscript folio

Keywords
Afghanistan, eastern kufic script, Iran, Islam, Qur'an, sura 5
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Qur'an; recto: Sura al-Ma'ida (the Table Spread) 5: part of verse 52, 53, recto begins with "ya'tia bi'l fathi"; verso: sura 5:53 and part of 54, verso begins with "bi Allahi"; Arabic in black "eastern kufic (New Style)" script; illuminated inscribed verse markers; vocalized in red, tashdid and sukun in blue, letters for recitation in brown; one column; 4 lines of text.
Border: The text area is filled with palmette scrolls and set within an illuminated frame that terminates at the top and bottom in a semi-medallion.

Label

By the eleventh century, a number of distinct kufic scripts had developed. In Iran, the letters became more refined, characterized by elongated vertical strokes with left-facing flourishes. In this folio, from a now-dispersed copy of the Qur'an, the vegetal scroll design, usually reserved for discrete areas of illumination, serves as a backdrop to the elegantly proportioned words. This is the only known Qur'an decorated in this unusual and elaborate manner.

Published References
  • Richard Ettinghausen, Ernst Kuhnel. A Survey of Persian Art from Prehistoric Times to the Present. 6 vols., London and New York, 1938 - 1939. vol. 3: pp. 1951-1952, vol. 5: pls. 931B, 932A.
  • Dr. Esin Atil. Exhibition of 2500 Years of Persian Art. Exh. cat. Washington, 1971. cat. 3, pp. 1-2.
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