Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript
Unknown Artist
8th–9th century
Medium
Ink on parchment
Dimensions
H. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm) W. 5 3/4 in. (14.6 cm)
Classification
Codices
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Marilyn Jenkins, 1984
Accession Number
1984.504.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite folio from a Qur'an manuscript, dating to the 8th–9th century, a glimpse into one of the earliest surviving examples of the Islamic holy book in codex form. Crafted ink on parchment—a medium prized for its durability and fine texture before paper's widespread adoption—this leaf measures a modest 8½ by 5¾ inches, designed for intimate study or recitation. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Department, it was generously gifted by Marilyn Jenkins in 1984. In Islamic tradition, the Qur'an's text holds unparalleled sanctity, and its transcription elevated calligraphy...