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Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript
Muhammad al-Zanjani
@muhammadalzanjaniThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NYListen to curator's interpretation
Curatorial notes
This is a fragment of a Qur'an manuscript, created by Muhammad al-Zanjani. Given its elaborate calligraphy and ornamentation, the manuscript to which this folio once belonged would have been an important cultural artifact. The gilding and blue ink are visual cues, directing the reader’s eye and conveying the divine importance of the text. Judging by the artist's name, this folio most likely originates from Zanjan, a city in northwestern Iran. Considering the absence of a specific date, it can be difficult to pinpoint its creation without further investigation. However, through studying the script and decorative motifs, art historians can often place such works within a specific timeframe and cultural context. Analyzing surviving manuscripts can provide insight into the patronage networks and artistic practices of its time. By examining such folios, we can understand the cultural value placed on religious texts. Further research into the social and institutional context of its creation would illuminate its historical significance.