Two illuminated Qur'an leaves in muhaqqaq script on paper, Egypt or Syria, Mamluk, 15th century

text: Qur'an, surah al-a'raf (VII), start of verse 20 to beginning of verse 23; middle of verse 64 to middle of verse 69

Arabic manuscript on paper, 5 lines to the page written in muhaqqaq alternating in gold and blue ink, verses separated by gold rosettes, 'ashr marked by a gold illuminated roundel

34.1 by 25cm.

The manuscript from which these leaves originate has variously been attributed to the late Mamluk or early Ottoman period. The format of the page, with few lines of muhaqqaq, was widespread in Mamluk manuscript production, but the alternating gold and blue inks in each line of text does not find a Mamluk counterpart.