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Section of a Qur'an Manuscript

Calligrapher Copied by `Umar Aqta'
late 14th–early 15th century
Not on view
These two lines of calligraphy in elegant muhaqqaq script are from chapter 40 (Sura al-Mu'min, The Believer) of the Qur'an. The fragment on which they are written was once part of a Qur'an manuscript that is probably the largest ever produced. Originally, each page included seven lines of script copied on one side only. A double-page would fit perfectly into the gigantic stone Qur'an stand made for the congregational mosque of Bibi Khanum in Samarqand and commissioned by a grandson of Timur (Tamerlane, d. 1405). Its calligrapher was likely the renowned 'Umar Aqta'. Historical sources tell us that 'Umar tried to impress Timur by writing a Qur’an so small that it could fit under a signet ring. When the sultan was unmoved, 'Umar wrote a Qur'an so large that it had to be brought to Timur on a cart.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Section of a Qur'an Manuscript
  • Calligrapher: Copied by `Umar Aqta'
  • Date: late 14th–early 15th century
  • Geography: Attributed to present-day Uzbekistan, probably Samarqand
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: H. 17 5/16 in. (44 cm)
    W. 38 1/4 in. (97.2 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Anonymous Gift, 1972
  • Object Number: 1972.279
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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Folio from the "Qur'an of `Umar Aqta', `Umar Aqta', Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Folio from the "Qur'an of `Umar Aqta'
`Umar Aqta'
late 14th–early 15th century (before 1405)
Section from the "Qur'an of `Umar Aqta', `Umar Aqta', Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Section from the "Qur'an of `Umar Aqta'
`Umar Aqta'
late 14th–early 15th century (before 1405)
Section from a Qur'an Manuscript, `Umar Aqta', Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Section from a Qur'an Manuscript
`Umar Aqta'
late 14th–early 15th century (before 1405)
Section from a Qur'an Manuscript, `Umar Aqta', Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Section from a Qur'an Manuscript
`Umar Aqta'
late 14th–early 15th century (before 1405)
Section from the "Qur'an of `Umar Aqta', `Umar Aqta', Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Section from the "Qur'an of `Umar Aqta'
`Umar Aqta'
late 14th–early 15th century (before 1405)

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