ticketsMember | Make a donation

Folio from the "Blue Qur'an"

second half 9th–mid-10th century
Not on view
This folio comes from a sumptuous, multivolume Qur'an with indigo pages and silver verse markers that was probably copied in North Africa. Its palette is thought to refer to the purple‑dyed, gilded manuscripts made in the neighboring Byzantine empire. As in other early Qur'ans, the script here is difficult to read because the letters have been manipulated to make each line the same length, and the marks necessary to distinguish between letters have been omitted.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Folio from the "Blue Qur'an"
  • Date: second half 9th–mid-10th century
  • Geography: Made in Tunisia, possibly Qairawan
  • Medium: Gold and silver on indigo-dyed parchment
  • Dimensions: H. 11 15/16 in. (30.4 cm)
    W. 15 13/16 in. (40.2 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 2004
  • Object Number: 2004.88
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Amulet with a Military Saint, Bronze
Amulet with a Military Saint
6th–9th century
Bifolium from a Qur'an, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on parchment
Bifolium from a Qur'an
late 9th–10th century
Section from a Qur'an Manuscript, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on parchment
Section from a Qur'an Manuscript
9th–early 10th century
Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript, Ink on parchment
Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript
8th–9th century
Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript, Ink on parchment
Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript
9th–10th century

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Showing 4 of 6

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.