Section from a miniature Koran written in Rayhani, original leather binding
Egypt, perhaps Iraq; c. 1300
Each leaf: 5.8 × 4.8 cm
Inventory number 40/1999
This stamped and partly gilded leather volume comprises juz 27 of a copy of a Koran that was originally in 30 parts. The text panel is only 3.1 cm high and each page holds five lines. The main text was written in a fine Rayhani script, while the larger chapter headings were written in Thuluth with gold. Markers for each verse are gold dots outlined in red, while markers for each tenth verse are large roundels in the margin.
Well-preserved medieval Korans in miniature format are exceedingly rare, and one might wonder what purpose they served in their day. Perhaps they were intended for use on journeys or perhaps they were curiosities of a kind.
Well-preserved medieval Korans in miniature format are exceedingly rare, and one might wonder what purpose they served in their day. Perhaps they were intended for use on journeys or perhaps they were curiosities of a kind.
Published in
Published in
Joachim Meyer, Rasmus Bech Olsen and Peter Wandel: Beyond words: calligraphy from the World of Islam, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2024, cat. 18, p. 144;
