Geometric Decoration
Geometric Decoration and the Art of the Book
‘Illuminators took great care in the decoration of the first (fatiha) and last pages (khatima).’
Considering the sacred nature of the book, illuminators took great care in the decoration of the first (fatiha) and last (khatima) pages, the whole of which was often illuminated. The beginning of a verse (sura) was often marked with a cartouche, and pages would sometimes be framed with more or less elaborate geometric patterns. The date and place of manufacture, and occasionally the recipient, would normally be indicated on the colophon.
Frontispiece of a Qur'an

Hegira 4th century / AD 10th century (second half)
Fatimid–Zirid
Museum of Islamic Art
Raqqada, Kairouan, Tunisia
In all of these examples of the Qur'an, the fatihat al-Kitab (opening of the book) and the khatimat al-Kitab (closing) have full-page illuminations consisting of geometric designs.