Page from a Qur’an in eastern kufic script and with Persian translation in naskhi script
This folio originates from a rare manuscript of the Qur’an which combines Arabic verses with a Persian translation and commentary. Although Arabic is the language in which the Qur’an was revealed, and the only one accepted for its recitation, translations and commentaries in both Persian and Turkish started to appear from the 12th century. These not only allowed for a better understanding of the text, but also helped to spread Islam’s principles in areas where Arabic was not the main language.
This page (Qur’an, 2:279-281) is written in what is called ‘Eastern’ kufic, a development of kufic that presumably originated in the eastern part of the Islamic world, that is characterized by elongated vertical shafts and more rounded strokes in the letters falling beneath the line. While also found on parchment Qur’ans, Eastern kufic appears mostly on paper, which progressively replaced animal skin as the preferred medium for copying the revelation during the 10th century.
Details
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Title
Page from a Qur’an in eastern kufic script and with Persian translation in naskhi script
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Associated place
Iran (place of creation) -
Date
11th - 12th century (1001 - 1200) -
Material and technique
ink, colour, and gold on paper
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Material index
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Technique index
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Object type
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Dimensions
page 32.3 x 20.9 cm (height x width) -
No. of items
1
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Credit line
Bequeathed by Christopher T. Gandy, 2012.
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Museum location
Museum department
Eastern Art
Accession no.
EA2012.73
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Glossary of terms
kufic
Reference URL
