perhaps Syria
12th century AD
ink, gold and opaque watercolour on paper
copied in thulth script; 19 lines to the page
28 x 18.5cm
Text: surah al-Baqarah (II), verses 120–161.
The script is a rare gold thulth outlined in black. The lines of script are cramped together and overlap in a highly unusual manner for a manuscript: the overall effect is reminiscent of inscriptions on stone or stucco.
D. James, The Master Scribes. Qur’ans of the 10th to 14th Centuries AD, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, volume II, London 1992, cat.3, pp.30–31.
J.M. Rogers, The Arts of Islam. Masterpieces from the Khalili Collection, London 2010, cat.62, pp.72–3.