Name of Object:

Lithographed Qur’an, originally written by Shukr Zadeh (d. AH 1166 / AD 1753)

Location:

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (Sharjah)

Holding Institution:

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation / Sharjah Museums Department

 About Sharjah Museums Authority, Sharjah

Date of Object:

Hegira 1266 / AD 1850

Author:

Original calligraphed by Shukr Zadeh (d. AH 1166 / AD 1753)

Inventory Number:

SM 2006 - 1467

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Lithographed Manuscript

Dimensions:

Height 198 mm x 275 mm (open)

Provenance:

Ottoman Turkey

Description:

This Qur'an, originally caligraphed by the famous Ottoman calligrapher Shukr Zadeh is the first Qur'an to be printed in an Islamic country by way of lithograpy. It was produced around 1850 AD.While printing had begun in Europe many centuries ago, the Islamic world continued to favour handwritten books, and most certainly as regards copies of the Holy Qur’an. In 1834, the first edition of Gustav Fluegel’s printed Qur’an was published, while in the Ottoman Empire, the printing of Qur’ans began only in the second half of the 19th century, both in Egypt and in Istanbul. Most were lithographed, as they had the look and feel of manuscripts. Most importantly, all the required recitational signs could be rendered accurately.

Citation of this web page:

Ulrike al-Khamis "Lithographed Qur’an, originally written by Shukr Zadeh (d. AH 1166 / AD 1753)" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2025.
https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;ua;30;en

Prepared by: Ulrike Al-Khamis

MWNF Working Number: UA 030