Bifolium from the "Nurse's Qur'an" (Mushaf al-Hadina)

Bifolium from the "Nurse's Qur'an" (Mushaf al-Hadina)

Bifolium from the "Nurse's Qur'an" (Mushaf al-Hadina)

Object Name:
    Folio from an illustrated manuscript
Date:
    ca. A.H. 410/ A.D. 1019–20
Geography:
    Made in Tunisia, probably Qairawan
Medium:
    Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on parchment
Dimensions:
    H. 17 1/2 in. (44.5 cm)
    W. 23 5/8 in. (60 cm)
Classification:
    Codices
Credit Line:
    Purchase, James and Diane Burke Gift, in honor of Dr. Marilyn Jenkins-Madina, 2007

This double-page from a Qur'an comes down to us with the fascinating information that the nursemaid to one of the Zirid rulers of North Africa commissioned it for donation to the Great Mosque of Qairawan. It is written in a form of the 'new style kufic' script that was unique to North Africa, and it was copied on parchment, which remained in use in this region long after paper was commonly used for Qur'ans from Egypt, Iraq or Iran.

Location : Metropolitan Museum of Art