Poetry and Prayer: Islamic Manuscripts from the Walters Art Museum

Poetry and Prayer

Islamic Manuscripts from the Walters Art Museum

Poetry Ritual Prayer Recitation Calligraphy Personal Piety Digital Books

W.567: Qur’an

This manuscript is a small illuminated copy of the Qur’an, complete in one volume. It was executed in Iran and penned on laid European paper by an anonymous scribe in 1230 AH / 1814-5 CE. It is enclosed in floral lacquer covers.






Folio 2a

Folio from an Islamic Manuscript

This is the left side of a double-page illuminated frontispiece. The initial verses of the second chapter of the Qur’an, the Surat al-baqara, are inscribed in a vocalized naskh script. The upper and lower panels are penned in riqā‘ script on a gold ground.

Folio 1b

Folio from an Islamic Manuscript

This is the right side of a double-page illuminated frontispiece that introduces the Qur’anic text. The verses of the opening chapter of the Qur’an, the Surat al-fātiha, are inscribed in a vocalized naskh script. The chapter heading is penned in riqā‘ script on a gold ground.