قرآن

Walters Ms. W.567, Koran

Walters Ms. W.567, Koran

al-Qurʾān

القرآن

This manuscript is a small illuminated single-volume copy of the Qurʾan, likely produced in Iran. A date is inscribed on the final page, which is interpreted as 1230 AH / 1814-5 CE (fol. 186b). The manuscript opens with an illuminated double-page incipit with the verses of chapter 1 (Sūrat al-fātiḥah) and the initial verses of chapter 2 (Sūrat al-baqarah), decorated with interlinear illumination (fols. 1b-2a). The text is in vocalized naskh script in black ink with reading marks in red and text divisions, such as thirty verses (juzʾ) or sixty verses (ḥizb), in the margins. Illuminated discs with colored dots separate the verses. Chapter headings are in riqāʿ script in red ink on a gold ground. The nineteenth-century lacquer binding with a floral composition on a gold field on the upper and lower boards seems to be contemporary with the manuscript. The insides of both boards are painted with a lobed yellow central medallion and pendants on an orange field. For full description, see http://www.thedigitalwalters.org/Data/WaltersManuscripts/html/W567/description.html

The primary language in this manuscript is Arabic.

Double-page illuminated incipit (fols. 1b-2a); chapter headings in riqāʿ script in red ink on gold ground; illuminated discs with colored dots separating verses; illuminated text frame in gold, black, and blue

fol. 1b Right side of a double-page illuminated incipit Incipit This is the right side of a double-page illuminated incipit. The verses of chapter 1 (Sūrat al-fātiḥah), are written in a vocalized naskh script in black ink with reading marks in red and interlinear gold decoration. The chapter headings and indication of number of verses are written in riqā‘ script in red ink on a gold ground in the upper rectangular panel. A wide illuminated border with blue half medallions and polychrome arabesques surrounds the text. The upper and lower panels and text area are separated by red frames with white dots and a narrow white border with black motifs.

fol. 2a Left side of a double-page illuminated incipit Incipit This is the left side of a double-page illuminated incipit. The verses of chapter 2 (Sūrat al-baqarah), are written in a vocalized naskh script in black ink with reading marks in red and interlinear gold decoration. The chapter headings and indication of number of verses are written in riqā‘ script in red ink on a gold ground in the upper rectangular panel. A wide illuminated border with blue half medallions and polychrome arabesques surrounds the text. The upper and lower panels and text area are separated by red frames with white dots and a narrow white border with black motifs.

fol. 2b Text page with verses of chapter 2 Text page The text is written in vocalized naskh script in black ink with reading marks in red. Illuminated discs with colored dots separate the verses.

fol. 24b Text page with illuminated chapter heading for chapter 4 Chapter heading This text page has an illuminated chapter heading for chapter 4 (Sūrat al-nisā') in riqāʿ script in red ink on a gold ground. The text is in vocalized naskh script in black ink with reading marks in red, and illuminated discs with colored dots separate the verses.

fol. 33a Text page with illuminated chapter heading for chapter 5 Chapter heading This text page has an illuminated chapter heading for chapter 5 (Sūrat al-mā'idah), written in riqāʿ script in red ink on a gold ground. The text is in vocalized naskh script in black ink with reading marks in red, and illuminated discs with colored dots separate the verses.

fol. 65a Text page with sixty-verse marker Text page The text is in vocalized naskh script in black ink with reading marks in red. In the margin at the right is the textual divider for sixty verses (ḥizb).

fol. 185b Text page with illuminated chapter headings for chapters 111 and 112 Chapter headings This text page has two illuminated chapter headings written in riqāʿ script in red ink on a gold ground for chapter 111 (Sūrat al-lahab) and chapter 112 (Sūrat al-ilkhās).

fol. 186a Text page of chapters 113 and 114 Text page Chapters 113 (Sūrat al-falaq) and 114 (Sūrat al-nās) are written in vocalized naskh script in black ink with reading marks in red. A date is inscribed as 1030 AH / 1621 CE and is believed to have been forged. It is now interpreted as 1230 AH / 1814-5 CE.

Probably 1230 AH / 1814-5 CE; date forged to look like 1030? AH / 1621 CE

Walters Art Museum, 1931, by Henry Walters bequest

Arabic

paper

image/jpeg

1814

All Walters manuscript images and descriptions provided here are copyrighted © The Walters Art Museum.