Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript

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Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript

Place of OriginIraq or Syria

Dateearly 9th Century

DimensionsIrregular edges: 3 1/8 × 4 15/16 in. (7.9 × 12.5 cm)

Mediumink and gold on parchment

ClassificationManuscripts

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. Riefstahl

Object number

1969.306

Not on View

DescriptionDetached folio from a Qur'an manuscript, Surah Al A'raf (7:89-95)

Label TextBorn in Mecca, Muhammad is believed by Muslims to be the last in a line of Judeo-Christian prophets that includes Moses and Jesus. According to the faith, the Archangel Gabriel (Jibra'il in Arabic) revealed to him the Word of God through divine revelations that were then collected and written as the Qur’an (“recitation”), the sacred text of Islam. Because figural imagery was deemed inappropriate for the decoration of sacred texts and monuments in Islam, calligraphy became an important artform in the Islamic world. This Qur’an folio (page) of Chapter X, verse X , is written in a calligraphic style known as Kufic that was favored by early scribes. As seen here, Kufic strokes are relatively uniform in weight (thickness), with long horizontal lines, and short, straight vertical lines. The gold medallion signals the division between verses, and the red dots indicate vowel marks placed above or below the letter.Exhibition HistoryThe University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. 1985-86.