Folio from a Qur’an, sura 6:26-44

Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Qur’an; recto: Sura al- An’am (the Cattle) 6:26-35, recto begins with “yanhauna”; verso: sura 6: parts of verses 35-44, verso begins with “an tabtaqi”; Arabic in gold muhaqqaq script outlined in black; illuminated roundel verse markers; inscribed marginal medallions; vocalized in blue with red letters for recitation; one column, 11 lines of text; one of a group of 2 folios.
Border: The text is set in gold, black, and blue rulings on cream-colored paper.

Historical period(s)
Il-Khanid dynasty, early 14th century
Medium
Ink, color and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 43.5 x 34.5 cm (17 1/8 x 13 9/16 in)
Geography
Iran or Iraq
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1942.4
On View Location
Freer Gallery 04: Engaging the Senses
Classification(s)
Manuscript
Type

Manuscript folio

Keywords
Il-Khanid dynasty (1256 - 1353), illumination, Iran, Iraq, Islam, naskh script, Qur'an, sura 6
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Qur'an; recto: Sura al- An'am (the Cattle) 6:26-35, recto begins with "yanhauna"; verso: sura 6: parts of verses 35-44, verso begins with "an tabtaqi"; Arabic in gold muhaqqaq script outlined in black; illuminated roundel verse markers; inscribed marginal medallions; vocalized in blue with red letters for recitation; one column, 11 lines of text; one of a group of 2 folios.
Border: The text is set in gold, black, and blue rulings on cream-colored paper.

Label

After the eleventh century, a number of more easily transcribed cursive writing styles replaced kufic as the preferred script for the Qur'an. Among the most popular was the muhaqqaq script, known for its slender verticals and shallow sublinear curves. This folio, from a now-dispersed copy of the Qur'an, is written in gold muhaqqaq on paper. To further enhance the visual richness of the folio, the vowel marks above and below the letters are indicated in ink made from powdered lapis lazuli, a semi-precious stone. Verse endings appear as gold and lapis lazuli spheres, while the larger medallion in the margin marks an additional text division. Sumptuous yet restrained, the folio is characteristic of Qur'ans produced under the Mongol Il-Khanid dynasty, which ruled over Iran and Iraq from 1256 to 1353.

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

Related Objects