The 15th century Persian prince Baysunqur ibn Shahrukh, famous as a bibliophile, is probably the calligrapher of a large format Qur'an whose leaves measure 177 centimetres (5'10'') in height. This page, in a large 'muhaqqaq' hand, shows three verses of Sura Al-Ankabut (The Spider). The physical control and stamina required to write the entire text of the Qur'an on this scale and with such perfection must have been remarkable.
Leaf from a Qur'an manuscript, 13th–14th century Attributed to Spain Ink, colors, and gold on vellum
Folio from a Qur'an manuscript, Seljuq period (1040–1196), ca. 1180 Eastern Iran or present-day Afghanistan Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Folio from the Blue Qur'an, late 9th–early 10th century Probably North Africa (Tunisia) Gold and silver on indigo-dyed parchment
