Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Folio from the “Blue Qur’an”
Sura 30 (al-Rum): 28-32
Tunisia, Qairawan, North Africa, Fatimid period (909-1171 CE), dated mid 9th-mid 10th century CE

Additional Images:


Mihrab Tile
Iran, Ilkhanid period (1206-1353 CE), dated 1322-23 CE

Inscription: “In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate; and keep up prayer in the two parts of the day and in the first hours of the nigh; surely good deeds take away evil deeds; this is a reminder to the merciful.” [Sura 11 (Hud): 114]


Display featuring Folio from a Qur’an (center)
Sura 39 (al-Zumar): 1-5
Spain, Nasrid period (1232-1492), dated late 13th-early 14th century


Second Volume of a Qur’an
Iraq or eastern Mediterranean, Abbasid period (750-1258 CE), dated 9th Century CE


Bifolium from a Qur’an
Sura 72 (al-Jinn): 6-22
Central Islamic lands or North Africa, late 9th-10th Century CE and
Red Folios from a Qur’an Manuscript
Central Islamic lands, circa 9th Century CE, Ink on Parchment