Qur'an

Description Walters manuscript W.569, an illuminated copy of the Qur'an, was produced in the 11th century AH/AD 17th in Iran. Apart from using a number of scripts, such as Naskh, Muhaqqaq, and Tawqi', the manuscript features 6 pairs of decorated pages; 2 illuminated headpieces; and chapter headings, interlinear illumination, and marginal decoration. The Qur'anic text begins on fol. 2b and ends on fol. 331a. It is followed by a prayer (du'a') and a table of divination (taf'ul) in Arabic and Persian (fols. 332b-333a).The black leather binding has a central piece in the form of a diamond with pendants on 4 sides. The inner boards, with their traditional dentelle decoration, feature text from the "verse of the throne" (ayat al-kursi), 2:255-6, which is inscribed in the outer frame.

Exhibitions

• Masterpieces of Ornament. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1988.
• The Divine Word and Sacred Sites of Islam. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1997.
• Speaking the Word of God: Illuminated Korans from the Walters Art Museum. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. 2007.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters