Qur'an Manuscript with Lacquer Binding

early 19th century

Not on view

Notes in the front of this tiny Qur'an, copied in 'ghubar' script, state that it was originally given to the Qajar emperor Fath 'Ali Shah (reigned 1798–1834) so that he could carry it in his pocket at all times. In 1809 it was presented to Fath 'Ali Shah's grandson, Prince Tahmasp Mirza, on the occasion of his birth. The note states that the Qur'an was copied by the late 'Abd Muhammad 'Ali. The Qur'an is lavishly illuminated and bound into a lacquer binding signed by 'Ali Ashraf, a mid-18th–century lacquer painter, suggesting that the binding and the text block may not have been produced at the same time.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Qur'an Manuscript with Lacquer Binding
Date: early 19th century
Geography: Attributed to Iran
Medium: Manuscript: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Binding: pasteboard; painted and lacquered
Dimensions: H. 3 15/16 in. (10 cm)
W. 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm)
Classification: Codices
Credit Line: Gift of Shamina Talyarkhan, 2006
Object Number: 2006.543.1
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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