Name of Object:

Qur'an stand (kursi)

Location:

Honolulu, Hawai'i, United States of America

Holding Institution:

Shangri La, Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art

 About Shangri La, Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, Honolulu, Hawai'i

Date of Object:

Hegira c. 1317 / AD 1900

Inventory Number:

54.136.1

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Copper alloy (brass); inlaid with silver and copper inlay

Dimensions:

Overall: 86 x 47 x 47 cm

Provenance:

Egypt, probably Cairo

Description:

This tall, hexagonal brass side table has a flat top, six-sided body, and six baluster-shaped feet. The table is inlaid with inscriptional panels offset by engraved or pierced vegetal patterns. The sides are composed of several panels inset within a frame. This stand may originally have been used to support the Qur’an as it was read. For protection, the Qur’an could be stored inside the stand by opening the small doors and placing the text within.

Citation of this web page:

"Qur'an stand (kursi)" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2025.
https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;us;3;en

MWNF Working Number: US2 034