An Example for 16th Century Safavid Shiraz the Koran (TSMK. EH.48)

Abstract

The art was improved by people’s ideas. In the past, state executives who contributed the tezyini arts had an important role. The result of the support to the artists, the tezyini arts had been developed and diversified. Their productions have increased. It is proof that the importance of calligraphy writings, especially the Koran, was the most precious gift among the states at the time. The contribution of different regions added as well as Turkish civilizations contributed. Safavid Empire was the most contributing state to the art except the Turks. The value that the Shahs give to the arts and artists at the time is the most important part of the development. The art of illumination, which is included in the ornatent arts, has progressed, thinned and diversified with these developments. I choose as my studying of the number of 48 the Koran in Topkapı Palace Museum Library the Treasure entrusted. The Koran is the most important example of the Safavid Shahs contribution of illuminated manuscript. This work is dated 980-95 (1572 M.-86) and 49.5 – 31-3 sizes. Şirazlı Abdulkadir el-Huseyni was the calligraphist and he was the most famous calligraphist of the period. Muhammed bin Taceddin Haydar was the illuminator. Each page of the work is a complete full page ornament. The Koran ornament is an example that has not been seen until now.In this work, as much as it is never mentioned, has been given to the design fiction and infinity understanding that are never seen in the Koran’s ornament. In particular, Falname, which is very rare in Ottoman writings, has found as much as 12 pages in this work. This feature even shows how rare the work is. The design of the Koran was evaluated and examined by eight different groups. In addition to this, motif richness and techniques are explained and a general presentation of the work was made.