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Identification and Creation

Object Number
2014.391
Title
Manuscript of the Qur’an with leather binding
Classification
Manuscripts
Work Type
manuscript
Date
c. 1480-1500
Places
Creation Place: Middle East, Iran
Period
Aq Qoyunlu period
Culture
Persian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/351910

Physical Descriptions

Medium
leather (binding) and ink, gold, and colors on paper (text)
Dimensions
21.5 x 16 cm (8 1/4 x 5 7/8 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Ezzat-Malek Soudavar, Geneva, Switzerland (by 2014), by descent; to her son Abolala Soudavar, Houston, Texas (2014), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2014.

Note:
Ezzat-Malek Soudavar (1913-2014) formed this collection over a period of sixty years. She purchased the works of art on the international art market.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of A. Soudavar in memory of his mother Ezzat-Malek Soudavar
Accession Year
2014
Object Number
2014.391
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
This Qur'an manuscript opens with double illuminated pages containing the first sura written in white ink within facing medallions. The remaining text is copied in eleven lines per page with the top, middle, and bottom lines written in muhaqqaq script in blue and gold, and the rest in naskh in black ink. Chapter headings are marked as illuminated panels throughout the text. Verses are separated with gold rosettes. The text ends with a finishing prayer written in muhaqqaq only alternating in blue and gold. The paper appears dirty towards the end and there are several repairs in the text area.
The leather binding in dark brown was originally fully decorated with gold and floral decoration stamped in relief on the outside (now inside after repairs). The field is arranged with a lobed medallion in the center and framed with cartouches along the edge. It is heavily damaged and also repaired. The flap is not preserved. The doublures, which are damaged, preserve the center and four corner pieces which were most likely filigree are raised over the field and placed inside a decorated band. There is a note in Persian on a flyleaf providing the hijri date 1197 AH (1783 CE), possibly written by a manuscript repair or binder. He expresses apologies for his delay in finishing repair and returnign the manuscript to its owner, Mulana Muhammad Muhsin, before he had passed away.

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu