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Folio from a Qur'an

late 7th-early 8th century (?)
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
This leaf is from an early, large, luxury Qur’an written in a vertical format similar to that used for Christian Gospels and Bibles. Decorative polychromatic bands used to divide the chapters in the text are similar to ones used in Syriac Bibles written under Byzantine rule. The Umayyad’s patronage of early Qur’an production helped establish their role as the protectors of the faith.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Folio from a Qur'an
  • Date: late 7th-early 8th century (?)
  • Geography: Made in Syria (?)
  • Medium: Brown ink and pigments on parchment; the back side has been reinked with a black carbon ink; decorative details in red, green, yellow, and white
  • Dimensions: 18 5/16 x 15 11/16 in. (46.5 x 39.9 cm)
  • Classification: Manuscripts
  • Credit Line: The David Collection, Copenhagen (26 / 2003)
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters