A rare 18th century Qur'an from Dagestan or the North Caucasus, with many of the distinctive features found in Islamic mss of this region - unusually large format (a massive 42cm x 33cm), bold and sometimes flamboyant calligraphy, rosette verse markers, and carpet pages. 1/
The most immediately striking feature of Daghistani manuscript illumination is the vibrant palette of red, yellow, orange, green, and purple, which contrasts strongly with the typical predominantly blue & gold colors of the Ottoman & Persian manuscript traditions to the south. 2/
This codex, on 608 leaves, has the text from Surah al-Baraqah (2:18) to the end of the Qurβan - the first few leaves are missing, but have been replaced with two additional leaves from a different but roughly contemporary Dagestan ms, containing Surah al-Fatihah (1:1-1:7). 3/
Dagestan Qur'ans are simply amazing manuscripts to handle in the flesh - the very free and bold calligraphy, the vibrant autumnal colors, and their colossal size all combine to make an absolutely unforgettable impression. 4/
A few more page spreads from this remarkable Dagestan Qur'an. 6/
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