The Blue Qur’an Manuscript Replica is a reproduction of a single folio from the Blue Qur’an, a lavish, ancient Quranic manuscript. Written in golden Kufic calligraphy on indigo-dyed parchment, it features verses 33 to 37 from Surah Al-Baqarah, the second and longest chapter of the Qur’an.

Cultural Inspiration

The Blue Qur’an is among the world’s pre-eminent examples of Islamic calligraphy, and one of the most beautiful and luxurious Qur’ans ever made. Said to have originated in the late 9th to mid-10th century, scholars have long debated its exact origins, with different theories attributing it variously to Tunisia, Iraq, or even Cordoba in Spain. While the original manuscript’s 600 pages were separated and dispersed during the Ottoman Empire, the lavish nature of the surviving sheets indicate that the Blue Qur’an was commissioned by a high-status individual of enormous wealth and power.

Unlike many traditional Qur’ans from the period, the Blue Qu’ran is horizontal in format rather than vertical. Its unique, aesthetically balanced layout features 15 lines per page, uniform in length, absent in vowel or diacritical marks, with illuminated rosettes marking the end of every fifth or tenth verse. Its beautiful design was likely inspired by Byzantine ancient writings – the midnight blue of the parchment symbolising the celestial universe, while the gilded script represents the divine light spread by the word of God. 

The Blue Qur’an survives today in dispersed fragments, with pages housed in museums and collections worldwide. One of the most treasured, Blue Qur’an Folio, is held in the Museum of Islamic Art where it is considered one of the most sacred objects in the collection.

Produced using specialist archival techniques, the Blue Qur’an Manuscript Replica employs heavyweight, acid-free paper with a deep indigo wash to emulate the richness of dyed parchment. The golden script is reproduced through metallic foil stamping and hand-finishing, ensuring that the reflective quality of the original text is preserved.

Product Story

Each page is printed to museum conservation standards, with attention given to the texture and colour variation of the manuscript surface. Subtle imperfections such as the slight unevenness of dye, softness of edges, and burnished gleam of the script, are intentionally preserved to echo the handcrafted qualities of the ancient manuscript. 

Impact

By recreating one of the Islamic world’s most precious manuscripts as an ownable artefact, QC+ retail allows collectors to take home a fragment of history. Extending the Museum of Islamic Art’s collection into obtainable forms in this way is a cornerstone of QC+’s commitment to strengthening the connection between audiences and culture.