Thread. The muṣḥaf attributed to ‘Uthman, at the Topkapı Palace Museum
1/6. This muṣḥaf is certainly one of the most famous Qur’ān manuscript. It is exhibited in the Holy Relics Department of the Museum. A facsimile edition was published in 2007 by Tayyar Altıkulaç.
1/6. This muṣḥaf is certainly one of the most famous Qur’ān manuscript. It is exhibited in the Holy Relics Department of the Museum. A facsimile edition was published in 2007 by Tayyar Altıkulaç.
2/6. At the beginning of the muṣḥaf, there is a record leaf written in Ottoman Turkish, dated June 1226/1811. This says that this ms, written by ‘Uthman, was preserved in a library in Cairo. In 1811, the governor Ali Pasha sent it to Sultan Mahmud II as a gift.
3/6. So, another Qur’an ms from Egypt. It is almost complete (more than 99%), having 408 ff., with only the first 6 ff. + 1f. which are later restorations. Did it pass through the ‘Amr mosque ? Then it received a special treatment, or left before the deterioration of the mss.
4/6. What about the manuscript itself? The volume is certainly from the 8th CE. When exactly ? Impossible to say… The script style is homogeneous, with nice calligraphic – sometimes too artificial – letters’ shapes > evidence for a later stage in the development of the style.
5/6. In all cases, it is an expensive volume, close to a folio-size ms. The suras are separated by headbands; several clearly inspired from the Umayyad times – vegetal and architectural elements –but with a more geometric treatment.
6/6. In conclusion, look at the headband between suras 93 and 94. On the right part, what do you see? It looks like 3 fishes swimming in water... or is that just an illusion?
