Unknown - Quran - Chinese - 1760

A bi-folio from an 18th Century Chinese Qur'an (circa 1760) written in elegant Muhaqqaq script, characterised by bold left leaning extended upstrokes of the pen, well-spaced ligatures, and shallow and sweeping horizontal sub-linear flourishes. During the caliphate of al Ma'mun (813-833) it became the preferred style of the Warraqun (professional scribes) to enable relatively easy reproduction. It also suggests the brush strokes associated with Chinese calligraphy, and is often referred to as sini (Chinese) Arabic.

The bi-folio contains the final verse of Chapter 69 (Surah Al-Haqqah) and the opening verses of Chapter 70 (Surah Al-Ma'arij) which are closely linked by theme and literary structure. The end of Chapter 69 acts as a spiritual pivot—settling the heart of the messenger and believers in praise—before Chapter 70 dives into the psychological and behavioural breakdown of how disbelievers mock the timeline of the hereafter versus how God measures time and truth.

The measurements shown are for the mounted manuscript. Each leaf is 12x16cm.

This is a fine folio and would grace any collection.

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