Mamluk, Egypt - Quran - 1280

A very scarce and rare Qur'anic manuscript page on strong handmade paper, scribed in Egypt and dated C1280, belonging to a formative and rare moment in the history of the Arabic Qur'anic manuscript following the fall of the Ayyubid dynasty in 1250. The monumental 5 line format indicate that his may have been used for display of communal recitation within a holy place. Such early Mamluk leaves are scarce and the condition, despite water staining is remarkable.

The front mounted folio contains verses 28-33 of the Meccan chapter 77, Al-Mursalat (Those 'Winds' sent forth), with the reverse showing verses 21-27. These verses focus on human creation, the physical design of the Earth, and the terrifying reality of the Hellfire awaiting those who deny the Day of Judgment.

The script is written in black elegant Rayhani, especially popular with the Mamuk Sultans in Egypt. The Rayhani script, with characteristics in common with Nashki, Thuluth and Muhaqqaq, is notable for its treatment of diactricial marks and other orthographic signs which are always written with a finer pen than the characters of the script. Calligraphy such as this, preserves both scripture and Arabic penmanship as a core pillar of Islamic and Arabic cultural heritage. Gold roundels mark out verses while a marginal medallion marks the 30th verse of chapter.

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