Talismanic prayer scroll

Title

Year/Period

16th century

Region

Turkey

Object Type

illuminated manuscripts, prayer scrolls, talismans

Material

ink, paper (fiber product)

Technique

calligraphy (process), illustration (process)

Dimension

Image size: L677.0 x W10.0 cm

Accession No.

1999-01412

Collection of

Asian Civilisations Museum

This prayer scroll is written in naskh and muhaqqaq scripts. There are magic squares and roundels containing prayers. It features various Qur’anic verses and pious formulae arranged in a variety of compositions. Such talismanic scrolls would have been rolled and carried on one's person for protection. Naskh is a popular script for copying manuscripts and the Qur'an. The muhaqqaq script which means 'certain' or 'distinct', is one that is very stately, with shallow downward curves.