Sultan Baybars' Qur'an: Turning the Pages

Synopsis

Of all the magnificent Qur'ans in the British Library's collections, the Royal Mamluk Baybar's Qur'an is recognized as a masterpiece of its time and has arguably never been equalled. It was produced in Cairo during 1304-6, and is called after the Mamluk ruler Baybars II who commissioned it. The calligraphic script is written entirely in gold and is sumptuously illuminated with gold filigree work. A total of 30 pages have been digitized and the user clicks and drags the mouse to turn the pages. Zoom facility and accompanying text is featured on each page. An accompanying essay by Colin Baker, Head of the British Library's Arabic section, gives the historical background to the production of the manuscript.