Azerbaijani Artist Writes Holy Qur’an on Black Silk Using Gold and Silver Ink

Azerbaijani artist Tünzale Memmedzade spent three years creating a handwritten Qur’an on 50 metres of black silk using gold and silver ink.

Azerbaijani Artist Creates Extraordinary Qur’an Manuscript on Black Silk Using Gold and Silver Ink

International News | News National

Azerbaijan: Azerbaijani artist Tünzale Memmedzade has attracted international attention for creating an extraordinary handwritten edition of the Holy Qur’an on transparent black silk using gold and silver ink. The remarkable project took approximately three years to complete and required around 50 metres of delicate silk fabric.

Combining traditional Islamic calligraphy with artistic innovation, the work demonstrates exceptional patience, precision and dedication. The project also highlights how historical artistic traditions can be explored through unconventional materials while preserving the importance of the sacred text.

Historical Research Inspired the Unique Project

Memmedzade’s idea developed from her research into the materials historically used to produce Qur’anic manuscripts. Her interest in the history of sacred texts led her to explore silk as an alternative medium for presenting the complete Qur’an.

After considering the distinctive qualities of silk, including its delicate texture and transparency, she selected black silk for the project. Working on such a fragile material presented challenges that required careful planning and sustained concentration.

Unlike ordinary paper, transparent silk requires particular attention to the placement and consistency of each letter. The artist had to work carefully to maintain the appearance, alignment and legibility of the calligraphy throughout the manuscript.

Gold and Silver Ink Bring the Calligraphy to Life

One of the most striking features of the artwork is the use of gold and silver ink against the black silk background. The contrast between the dark, transparent fabric and the metallic lettering gives the manuscript a distinctive visual character.

To ensure accuracy, Memmedzade used an officially approved Turkish edition of the Qur’an as her reference. Her work combined attention to the sacred text with the artistic discipline required to reproduce its passages carefully across an unusually long surface.

The project involved approximately 50 metres of silk and took around three years to complete. Each section required painstaking manual work, making patience and consistency essential throughout the process.

The result represents a meeting point between religious manuscript traditions and contemporary artistic expression.

International Recognition and Interest in Islamic Art

The artwork has attracted international attention, bringing renewed interest to the possibilities of Islamic calligraphy and the artistic presentation of the Qur’an.

The Smithsonian Institution’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in Washington, D.C., is known for exhibitions exploring Asian art and Islamic artistic traditions. In 2016, the gallery presented The Art of the Qur’an, an exhibition examining the historical and artistic significance of Qur’anic manuscripts.

Although Memmedzade’s silk Qur’an has been associated with international interest in Islamic art, its specific exhibition history should be confirmed through the relevant museum records before stating that the manuscript itself was displayed at the Sackler Gallery.

A Testament to Patience, Craftsmanship and Tradition

Islamic calligraphy is more than decorative writing. It represents a longstanding artistic tradition in which the presentation of sacred text requires precision, discipline and respect for the written word.

Memmedzade’s project introduces an unusual material into this tradition while retaining the central importance of careful transcription. The use of transparent silk and metallic inks gives the manuscript a distinctive appearance without changing the fundamental purpose of the work: presenting the text of the Holy Qur’an.

The three-year undertaking also demonstrates the level of dedication required to complete a large-scale handcrafted artwork. It highlights the importance of historical research, material experimentation and technical skill in preserving and reinterpreting traditional art forms.

Through this creation, Memmedzade has brought together cultural heritage, religious calligraphy and individual artistic vision in a work that continues to attract interest from audiences fascinated by the intersection of art, history and faith.

By News National Editorial Team

Sources

• University of Hamburg — The Silk Qur’an

• Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art — The Art of the Qur’an exhibition