ART COLLECTIONS The Selection of Five Manuscripts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum’s collection of Islamic art is the most comprehensive in the world. It includes more than 12,000 of the finest objects, dating from the seventh to the 20th century and reflecting the cultural and geographic sweep of historic Islamic civilization, which extends as far west as Spain, Morocco, and Senegal and as far east as India, Southeast Asia, and China.

Bifolium from Mashaf al-Hadina

Bifolium from Mashaf al-Hadina, A.H. 410/A.D. 1019–20, Tunisia, Qairawan, Medium Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on parchment, 17 1/2 x 23 5/8 in. (44.5 x 60 cm) / Credit Line Purchase, James and Diane Burke Gift, in honor of Dr. Marilyn Jenkins-Madina, 2007 / Photo © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Folio from the “Blue Qur’an”

Folio from the “Blue Qur’an”, mid-9th–mid-10th century, Tunisia, Qairawan, MediumGold and silver on indigo-dyed parchment, 11 15/16 x 15 13/16 in. (30.4 x 40.2 cm) / Credit Line Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 2004 / Photo © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Qur’an Manuscript

Qur’an Manuscript, 13th–14th century, Spain, Medium Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on parchment, H: 21 1/16 in. (53.5 cm) W: 22 in. (55.9 cm), Credit Line Rogers Fund, 1942 / Photo © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Qur’an Manuscript

Photo: Qur’an Manuscript, Calligrapher: Ahmad ibn al-Suhrawardi al-Bakri (d. 1320–21), Illuminator: Muhammad ibn Aybak ibn ‘Abdallah, A.H. 707/A.D. 1307–8, Iraq, Baghdad, Medium Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, 20 3/16 x 14 1/2in. (51.3 x 36.8cm), Credit Line Rogers Fund, 1955 / Photo © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Qur’an Manuscript

Qur’an Manuscript, late 9th–early 10th century, probably Syria, Medium Ink and gold on parchment, H. 13 1/8 in. (33.32 cm) W. 9 3/8 in. (23.8 cm), Credit Line Gift of Rudolf M. Riefstahl, 1930 / Photo © The Metropolitan Museum of Art