Qur'an

This square-format manuscript, Walters W.853.1, is volume 1, containing chapters 1-18 (Surat al-fatihah through Surat al-kahf), of an illuminated two-volume Qur'an produced in Sub-Saharan (West) Africa in the 13th century AH/AD 19th. The text is written in Sudani script in dark brown ink with vocalization in red on loose leaves. Chapter headings are in reddish-brown ink. Three yellow dots outlined in red arranged in a triangular form separate verses. Polychrome circular medallions as well as square and rectangular devices in a variety of patterns and colors mark textual divisions. The leaves of the text are organized between two decorated boards with geometric compositions. The pages and boards are housed in a leather pouch (satchel).

Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.

Present in England, before 1974 [1]. Henry Brownrigg, London, 1980s [2]; purchased by Sam Fogg Rare Books and Manuscripts, London, 1980s [3]; purchased by Walters Art Museum, 2000.

[1] According to Sam Fogg
[2] Dealer who sold at Portobello Road Market in London
[3] Sam Fogg, "Islamic Manuscripts", 2000, no. 22, pp. 56-57