Ask the Scholar

Walters manuscript W.575 is a small, illuminated single-volume copy of Qur'an that was produced in Iran in the 13th century AH/AD 19th. The manuscript opens with an illuminated double-page incipit with the verses of chapter 1 (Surat al-fatihah) and the initial verses of chapter 2 (Surat al-baqarah) decorated with interlinear illumination and framed by a polychrome border and headpieces of floral design on a blue ground (fols. 2b-3a). The text is written in a vocalized Naskh script in black with reading marks in red and text divisions of 60 verses (hizb), 30 verses (juz'), and nisf al-juz' inscribed in red in the margins. Illuminated discs with colored dots separate the verses. Chapter headings are in red or blue Riqa' script on a gold background. The 19th-century lacquer binding with floral composition on a red field is contemporary with the manuscript.