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Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript

probably early 15th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 463
Sura 8 (al-'Anfal): end of 74 through 75; Sura 9(al-Tawba): 1 to the beginning of 2

A unique cursive script was used for Indian Qur'ans between the late fourteenth and mid-sixteenth centuries. Called bihari (from the region of Bihar), although it is not known exactly where it developed, the script’s main traits are its wide, extended horizontal lines and its thin, delicate verticals. Qur'ans of this style also often use several different colors for the text (here, alternating lines of gold, black, and blue), and include zigzagging Persian commentary in the margins.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript
  • Date: probably early 15th century
  • Geography: Attributed to India
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: H. 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm)
    W. 9 5/16 in. (23.7 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Louis E. and Theresa S. Seley Purchase Fund for Islamic Art, 1992
  • Object Number: 1992.145.1
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
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