Unknown - Qur'an - Morocco/Tunisia - 1825

A very attractive leaf from a Qur'an originating in North Africa C1825. It is written in free flowing Mahgribi script common to the region, and recognised in the calligraphy through the open curves and flourishes extending deep into the sub-linear area, occasionally touching the adjacent words. Its verticals and downstrokes are slightly curved to the left giving the script a unique grace. Diacritics (guides to the reader) and vowel points are red and green, with inner frame margins in red and an outer blue frame line. There is a stylised marginal in a palmetto motif in gold, red and green which marks the beginning of the new chapter (Surah). It is in excellent condition.

The manuscript contains the closing verses of chapter 44, Ad-Dukhan (The Haze), the header of chapter 45, Al-Jathiyah (The Kneeling), together with v.1-4. The final three verses of Chapter 44: v.57-59 conclude the chapter by highlighting the ultimate triumph and reward of the righteous, assuring the Prophet of the clarity of the Quran, and warning deniers to wait for the consequence. The opening verses of chapter 45 serve as an invitation to recognize God’s supreme power and wisdom by contemplating the universe. They establish that the Quran is a divine revelation and argue that creation itself is undeniable proof of an All-Mighty Creator.

This is a really interesting folio representing the calligraphic developments that took place in North Africa, or the Maghrib, comprising Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. Art of the Maghrib is distinguished by a mystical quality drawing on the region’s symbols and signs that originate in pre-Islamic Berber motifs and a rich Islamic heritage introduced to the region by Arabs in the seventh century.

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