Publication Date
952 AH / 1545 AD
Publication Place
Shiraz, Iran -
Austrian National Library (ANL)
Subject
Ink, colors and gold on paper. A small engraving layout of 12 lines on a page.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
Yes
Physical Dimensions
شكل مثمن بقطر 60 مم ، 56 × 56 مم ( 43 × 43 مم ) ، 281 صفحة
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
A.F. 557
Record ID
object;EPM;at;Mus24;10;ar
Library Location
Austrian National Library (ANL)
Date
952 AH / 1545 AD
Notes
This octagonal Qur’an, in stylized form, with a portion of the Persian name attached to it (the book of divination), was written according to the scribe’s information page in March 1545, probably in the Iranian city of Shiraz. The richly shaped opening consists first of a double symmetrical page of gilded floral rosette patterns within an octagonal shape, followed by similar symmetrical opening pages containing the first lines of the Qur’anic text. The text is written in small naksha script and is divided into verses with gold dots and framed with blue, red, black and gold details. Although the binding is not original, the manuscript is in good condition and is housed in a 17th-century octagonal silver box from Turkey. Its lid is decorated with a green beryl gemstone, and the three hanging rings attached to the box were probably tied or suspended from something. Small copies of the Qur’an of this type were worn by placing them on silver chains around the neck and as a talisman/protective veil for their owner, but they were also an expression of prestige and nobility. In addition to this, the rich micro-planning and very delicate and fine gilding. The precious box indicates that its owner is an important or high-ranking person. In the Ottoman Empire, these Qur’an manuscripts were hung on top of banners and flags. According to the story, this manuscript was found hanging on a spear in a Turkish camp outside Vienna in the year 1683 and it belonged to Prince Eugene. The inventory of the Vienna Art Room indicates that it may have been part of the collection of Rudolf II in Prague in the seventeenth century. The Valnama, or book of astrology, is written in Persian and is included at the end of the Qur’an on pages 279b-281a. Both the inclusion of the Valnama and the style of decoration mean that it comes from a Persian place. This assumption is supported by a similar octagonal Qur’an in the British Library (OR. 2200), which was copied in Shiraz in AH 950 / AD 1543. Pieces similar to this one can also be found in the library. Chester Beatty in Dublin or Vaksartopkapi in Istanbul as well as other locations.
Sample Text
Theresa Zischkin “Qur’an with Valnama (Book Interpreting Astrology/Divination)” in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;at;Mus24;10;ar
Cilt
This red morocco binding has gold-stamped, lace-like ornaments and gold edging. It is probably an Austrian work from the end of the 18th century. The manuscript is preserved in an octagonal silver box from 17th-century Turkey, with its lid decorated with a cut pale beryl. The three suspension rings indicate that it was likely tied to or hung from something.
Bu sayfanın künyesi
Prepared by:Theresa ZISCHKIN
Seçili bibliyografya
Duda, Dorothea,Islamische Handschriften II. Persische Handschriften, Die illuminierten Handschriften und Inkunabeln der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek, vol. 5, Vienna: Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, 1992: 99-100.
