Two illuminated Qur'an leaves in naskh script on paper, Persia, Safavid, mid-16th century

text: Qur'an, surah al-'imran (III), end of verse 76 to middle of verse 105

Arabic manuscript on paper, 12 lines to the page written in naskh in black ink in clouds reserved against a gold and polychrome illuminated ground, verses separated by gold roundels enclosing stylised flowerheads, margins illuminated in gold and polychrome, 'ashr marked by gold and polychrome illuminated marginal medallions

35 by 49.6cm. as mounted

Qur’ans produced under Safavid patronage are notable for their refinement. The text of this bifolium corresponds with the start of the fourth juz’. It would most likely have formed part of a lavish volume where each juz’ was marked comparably elaborately illuminated margins as shown by the present leaves. The calligrapher has written the manuscript in naskh, a smaller counterpart to thuluth. Variations of naskh had been used for copying the Qur'an from as early as the 11th century but the script became codified by the 16th century and was gradually established as the primary Qur'anic script. It arguably remains the most widely used Arabic script to this day.