Final answer:
A folio from a Qur'an during the Abbasid period was typically created with ink, color, and gold on parchment, reflecting the advanced artistry of Islamic manuscript painting which prized beautiful calligraphy and ornate illumination.
Step-by-step explanation:
A folio from a Qur'an originating in Arab, North Africa, or the Near East during the Abbasid period (8th-9th century) is created using ink, color, and gold on parchment. This technique was part of the rich tradition of Islamic manuscript painting which emphasized the beauty of calligraphy and often included elaborate illumination with gold and colors such as indigo.
The Abbasid period saw the popularization of the Kufic script, characterized by its angular form, which is the earliest form of Arabic calligraphy. High quality manuscripts from this era were not just texts but also visual art, often featuring gilded verse markers and carefully stylized letter shapes.
Detailed and ornate scripts from the Qur'anic manuscripts often included additions such as pigment, gold leaf, and silver, exemplified by various historic Qur'ans referenced, contributed to the majesty and reverence of these religious texts within Islamic culture.