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 ( guidance to the reader) and vowel points are red and green, inner margins in red with an outer blue. 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 the Meccan chapter 44, Ad-Dukhan (The Haze), which detail the ultimate reward of the righteous in the afterlife—guaranteeing eternal life free from death and suffering, as well as the purpose and divine clarity of the Quran, togther with the surah and v.1-4 of chapter 45, Al-Jathiyah (The Kneeling). Verses 1-4 of Surah Al-Jathiyah (Chapter 45 of the Quran) establish the divine origin of the Quran and highlight the natural world and human existence as clear signs of a Creator for those who seek truth and possess certain faith.

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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