Lapis and Gold
The Chester Beatty Library's 16th-century Ruzbihan Qur'an--produced in the city of Shiraz in southwest Iran--is one of the finest Islamic manuscripts known. In terms of both materials and workmanship, it is exquisite: lapis lazuli and gold, the two most expensive pigments available, are used on every page, while the rendering of the decoration is exceptionally fine. This is the most detailed and comprehensive study of any Islamic manuscript--and it is well worthy of such scrutiny.