Qur’ans in gold kufic script
Only a handful of Qur’ans executed in gold kufic script have survived. The technique of writing kufic script in gold (chrysography) differed from the process for brown ink. For gold kufic, after drawing the outlines of the letters using pale brown ink, the interiors were filled with gold that had been ground up and suspended in a solution. As this was a lengthy and expensive process, gold kufic Qur’ans are rare.
Single Folio from a Qur’an
Single Folio from a Qur’an, North Africa or Near East, 9th-10th century, kufic script in gold ink on parchment
The leaf with 5 lines has a large illuminated gold roundel containing the verse count in the margin; the text is Sura al-‘Ankabut, vv. 31-33.Single Folio from a Qur’an
Single Folio from a Qur’an, North Africa or Near East, 9th-10th century, kufic script in gold ink on parchment
In the leaf with 10 lines, the tenth verses are marked with letters surrounded by elegant blue floral motifs; the text is Sura Qaf, vv. 6-22.
Last updated: 1/28/2008 11:11