Zarrīn Fām; Biannual journal of Museum Studies

Zarrīn Fām; Biannual journal of Museum Studies

Stylistic Features of the Eastern Kufic Script in the Region of Khurasan: Characteristics of the Kufic Script in the Quran endowed by Abū al-Qāsim Sīmjūr to the Shrine of Imam Riẓa (Before AH 383/993-4 CE)

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Mahdi Sahragard
Member of the Faculty of Architecture at Islamic Azad University of Mashhad
10.30481/museum.2023.159771
Abstract
Astan Quds Razavi Library in Mashhad holds four parts of a ten-part Quran on parchment, which have been endowed to the Shrine of Imam Riẓa in AH 383/993-4 CE by Abū al-Qāsim Sīmjūr, the last emir of the Sīmjūrid dynasty in Khurasan and governor of Neyshābūr (also spelled Nīshāpūr). Due to the rarity of the tenth-century Quran manuscripts with signatures, the study of the artistic characteristics of this codex is of prime importance in understanding the calligraphy and illumination of the Qurans copied in this period in Khurasan. Not only does this article introduce and examine the script and decorations of the extant parts of this Quran in Astan Quds Razavi Library, but also studies the artistic links between this Quran and other manuscripts in the same century. The results of this research indicate that the script and illuminations of this codex resembles the works of the artists in Ghaznavīd scriptoria. This article also reveals novel findings about the development of the Ghaznavīd style which had its roots in the work of the warraqs (copyists) in Neyshābūr; in addition, since Abū al-Qāsim Sīmjūr was the then governor of Neyshābūr, it is speculated that this ten-part Quran was produced in this city.
Keywords
the copying of the Quran
the Kufic Script
Abū al-Qāsim Sīmjūr
calligraphy
illumination
the Sāmānids
Subjects
Zarrīn Fām; Biannual journal of Museum Studies
Volume 1, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
Volume 1, Issue 1 (autumn and winter 2022-23)
February 2023
Pages 8-23

  • Receive Date 13 August 2022
  • Revise Date 31 October 2022
  • Accept Date 31 August 2022
  • Publish Date 21 January 2023