This item has been added to the Database within the Explore Islamic Art Collections project. Information is available in: English, Arabic.

Name of Object:

A single-volume Qur’an with depictions of Mecca and Medina

Location:

London, United Kingdom

Holding Museum:

Khalili Family Trust – Hajj and the Arts of Pilgrimage Collection

About Khalili Family Trust – Hajj and the Arts of Pilgrimage Collection, London

Date of Object:

Dated Hejira 1211 / AD 1796–7

Museum Inventory Number:

QUR 1240

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Ink, gold and watercolour on paper; brown morocco binding; text in naskhi; incidentals in thuluth

Dimensions:

305 folios; 15.6 x 11cm

Period / Dynasty:

Ottoman

Provenance:

Turkey

Description:

An unusual feature of this Qur’an is the inclusion of two small depictions of Mecca and Medina within the illuminated opening spread (folios 1b–2a). Such depictions in Qur’ans is very rare.
The colophon is signed by the calligrapher Muhammad Amin al-Salahi.

How date and origin were established:

The Qur’an is dated. The attribution to Turkey is based on stylistic grounds.

How Object was obtained:

Sotheby’s, London, sale of 7 October 2015, lot 241.

Citation of this web page:

 "A single-volume Qur’an with depictions of Mecca and Medina" in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;uk;Mus22;42;en

MWNF Working Number: UK2 42