Qur'anic Verses

Qur'anic verses 57-69 of the 28th chapter of the Qur'an entitled Surat al-Qasas (The Stories), written in Kufi script related to the D.Va style , on parchment during the 9th-10th cents. Dimensions of Written Surface: 23 (w) x 15 (h) cm The text is executed in Kufi script in dark brown ink at fourteen lines per page. Diacritics appear as red dots and green branch-like decorations have been added between the lines of text. The verses on the fragment's recto are well preserved since they are included on the hair side of the parchment; however, verses on the flesh side (verso) have worn off substantially. The text's Kufi script appears related to the D.Va style typical of horizontal Qur'ans produced on parchment during the 9th-10th centuries (Déroche 1992, 100-101, cat. no. 47). There is a water stain in the upper part of the fragment, and a now faded impression of a tughra seal impression is included in the upper left corner of the fragment's verso. This calligraphic fragment includes verses 57-69 of the 28th chapter of the Qur'an entitled Surat al-Qasas (The Stories). It describes the story of Moses and Pharaoh, as well as the Prophet Muhammad's revelations. Verses 61-69 in particular describe God's mercy for those believers who have faith, do good, and repent from their sins. Verse markers are executed as minuscule light brown and gold rosettes that are almost invisible since they blend in with the color of the parchment. The tenth-verse marker separating verses 60 and 61 on the 11th line of the fragment's recto is shaped like a large gold painted flower. A fifth-verse marker separating verses 65 and 66 is shaped like a gold upturned virgule and appears on the 9th line of the text on the fragment's verso. Script: Kufi AL-14