Page from the Koran

Page from the Koran

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Description
This page is one side of a double-sided sheet from a copy of the Koran, a collection of revelations to the Prophet Mohammed that forms the basis of the Islamic religion. Information within the book indicates that the scribe worked on it for 22 years and completed it in 1207 A.D. The black letters are in Arabic and the smaller red letters are in Persian. The book was found in Tehran, Iran, in 1952, and this sheet was donated to the Smithsonian Institution from the Biblical Library of Stanley S. Slotkin.
In the Islamic tradition, representations of human or animal figures are discouraged, resulting in a fluid calligraphic style often incorporating geometric and floral designs.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
manuscript page
sheet (paper)
manuscript
Date made
1207 AD
previous owner
Slotkin, Stanley S.
place were the book was found
Iran: Tehrān, Tehran
Physical Description
paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
gold leaf (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 29.5 cm x 17.5 cm; 11 5/8 in x 6 7/8 in
ID Number
1981.0253.59
accession number
1981.0253
catalog number
1981.0253.59
81.0253.59
subject
Islam
Early American History
See more items in
Work and Industry: Graphic Arts
Cultures & Communities
Religion
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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Comments

The folio pictured is the last verses of Sūrat al-Wāqiʿa (chapter 56) and the first verses of Sūrat al-Ḥadīd (chapter 57)

Celene Ibrahim

Fri, 2020-06-05 09:44

The fact that there is a page of the holy book Quran (Koran) from 1200 AD in the National Museum of American History is simply amazing. I feel proud to be an American Muslim. USA! USA! USA!

Tariq

Fri, 2013-07-19 10:14

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