Koran

h. 1221 [1806]

The Fatiha and Bakara surahs are written on an illuminated double spread surrounded by a broad border with pointed lobes and triangular lappets along the long edge. Distinctive features of the illumination are tiny pink, white and lilac flowers in closely spaced rows on gold and lapis blue grounds, green cloud motifs inside the triangular lappets, and illumination on a red ground inside the segments of the narrow border. The surah headings and marginal rosettes are illuminated. The Koran ends with the hatim prayer and colophon (ff. 355r - 357r). The long colophon in Arabic reads, ‘Thanks be to God who created the writing tablet and pen, and taught human beings that of which they were ignorant. I am grateful to Him for the good fortune to read, write and copy the Koran. I began the book by giving thanks and ended by putting my trust in God. May prayers and salutations be upon his prophet Muhammad, who will intercede on the Day of Judgment, and on his family who perceive. This is the 113th copy of the Holy Koran that I have made. It was copied by el-Hac Ahmed, known as Nailî and a resident of Galata—may God protect that place from disaster and trouble—one of the scribes most in need of Almighty God, who offers sincere thanks for the blessings of God, prayers to the Prophet, his family, all the disciples and prophets in year 1222 of the Hegira of He who is most excellent, happy and honourable. May God grant compassion and abundant blessings to Istanbul and the lands of the Ottoman sultanate. May God grant good fortune to its possessor. Lord, in your mercy forgive the owner of this book, its copyist, its reader, and all the faithful dead or alive. Praise for the God of the peoples.’ On either side of the last lines of the colophon are illuminated triangular fields containing medallions. Inside the right-hand medallion are the words ‘High Admiral Gazi Hüseyin Paşa’, and inside that on the left is a partially legible inscription suggesting that the Koran was written for the sister of High Admiral Gazi Hüseyin Paşa. This outstanding Koran has chestnut coloured leather binding with flap.