Two leaves from a Koran written in Eastern Kufi
Iran or Iraq; 11th century
19.1 × 16.2 cm and 19.2 × 16.05 cm
Inventory number 51/2000 & 52/2000
The very earliest Korans have no decorations accompanying the text, but sura headings and verse markers of various kinds quickly attracted the interest of calligraphers and illuminators.
The gold-decorated sura headings on these fragments from the same manuscript take up as much as a third of a page, and considerable emphasis was placed on original, imaginative ornamentation. One of the two margin medallions is not only ornamented, but also contains the word “Mecca,” denoting that this chapter (sura 67) was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in that city. Most of the Koran is believed to have been revealed in Mecca and the rest in Medina.
The gold-decorated sura headings on these fragments from the same manuscript take up as much as a third of a page, and considerable emphasis was placed on original, imaginative ornamentation. One of the two margin medallions is not only ornamented, but also contains the word “Mecca,” denoting that this chapter (sura 67) was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in that city. Most of the Koran is believed to have been revealed in Mecca and the rest in Medina.
Published in
Published in
51/2000
The Holy Quran in manuscript : a selection of fine and rare Holy Quran leaves and manuscripts exhibited by the National Commercial Bank of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia : collection formation by Bernard Quaritch Limited of London, Jeddah National Commercial Bank, Jeddah 1991, cat.no. 7a;
The Holy Quran in manuscript : a selection of fine and rare Holy Quran leaves and manuscripts exhibited by the National Commercial Bank of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia : collection formation by Bernard Quaritch Limited of London, Jeddah National Commercial Bank, Jeddah 1991, cat.no. 7a;
Sotheby’s, London, 12/10-2000, lot 7;
52/2000
The Holy Quran in manuscript : a selection of fine and rare Holy Quran leaves and manuscripts exhibited by the National Commercial Bank of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia : collection formation by Bernard Quaritch Limited of London, Jeddah National Commercial Bank, Jeddah 1991, cat.no. 7c;
Sotheby’s, London, 12/10-2000, lot 8;
Kjeld von Folsach: Art from the World of Islam in The David Collection, Copenhagen 2001, cat.no. 4;
