Folio from a Qur'an, Sura 1:5-7; Sura 2:1-4
Terms of Use
Usage Conditions ApplyAt A Glance
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Period
12th century -
Geography
Iran or Iraq -
Material
Ink, color, and gold on paper -
Dimension
H x W: 17.4 x 15.4 cm (6 7/8 x 6 1/16 in) -
Accession Number
F1929.74 -
EDAN ID
edanmdm:fsg_F1929.74
Object Details
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Description
Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Qur'an; recto: left-hand half of a double-page composition separate from its facing folio (F 1929.73), Sura al-Fatiha (the Opener) 1:5-7, recto begins with "wa iyyak", one column, 3 lines of text; verso: Sura al- Baqara (the Cow) 2: 1-3 and part of 4, verso begins with "bismillah", one column, 5 lines of text; Arabic in black naskhi script; illuminated headings in "eastern kufic (New Style)" script; illuminated rosette verse markers; illuminated title band; marginal medallions; vocalized in black; one of a group of 2 folios.Border: The text is set in gray rulings on cream-colored paper. -
Label
Many distinctive forms of Arabic calligraphy were developed over time for the transcription of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. Some of these writing styles are associated with specific regions in the Islamic world. Calligraphers in the Maghrib (North Africa) and Spain favored thin, light letters with deep flourishes that curve below the line and create a rhythmic effect. In Iran, kufic script was transformed into a dynamic style, sometimes called eastern cubic, in which tall, upright letters contrast with short and sharply slanted ones, as seen in the gold headings of the double folio at the right. The text on these two leaves is written in naskh, a cursive script of balanced proportions frequently used to copy the Qur'an from the late ninth century until modern times.The art of illumination also continued to evolve varied and original forms, as evidenced by the robust scrollwork in the lower panels of the Qur'an form Iran and the large medallion marking the tenth verse in the margin of the maghribi Qur'an. -
Provenance
To 1929Kirkor Minassian, New York to 1929 [1]From 1929Freer 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. -
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection -
Exhibition History
Engaging the Senses (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)Arts of the Islamic World (May 3, 1998 to January 3, 2016)Islamic Art (May 9, 1993 to June 3, 1997)Islamic Calligraphy (May 14, 1981 to June 24, 1982)Art of the Near East (August 21, 1977 to December 14, 1979)Untitled Exhibition, South Asian and Persian Art (March 24, 1930 to March 14, 1931) -
Previous custodian or owner
Kirkor Minassian (1874-1944) -
Origin
Iran or Iraq -
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment -
Type
Manuscript -
Restrictions and Rights
Usage Conditions Apply
There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
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