Lot 65
65
AN ILLUMINATED FALNAMA FROM A QUR'AN
AN ILLUMINATED FALNAMA FROM A QUR'AN

SAFAVID IRAN, 16TH CENTURY

Details
AN ILLUMINATED FALNAMA FROM A QUR'AN
SAFAVID IRAN, 16TH CENTURY
Persian manuscript on cream paper, illuminated in gold and polychrome framing 10ll. of white thuluth within cartouches arranged in four columns, the reverse with later owner's notes and seal impressions, mounted on black paper
Folio 17 ¾ x 11 1/8in. (44.9 x 28.1cm.)

Brought to you by

Louise Broadhurst
Louise Broadhurst
+44 (0)20 7389 2603

Lot Essay

This elaborately illuminated folio is a falnama (letter of omens), which was incorporated in Qur’ans to guide the reader to the meaning behind the letters they have happened upon, when consulted for bibliomancy. The practice of including highly elaborate falnamas within Qur’ans became much more common during the Safavid period. For a very similar falnama folio included in a Safavid Qur’an in the Freer Sackler Gallery see Washington, 2009, no.7.2, p.226.

More from Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs and Carpets

View All
View All