Kitab al-khamsa (Book of the five poems) by Jami (d. 1492)

Manuscript; Kitab al-khamsa (Book of five poems) by Jami; text: Persian in black nasta’liq script with illuminated headings; 213 folios with a double-page frontispiece (fols. 1 verso, 2 recto), 4 sarlawhs (fols. 27 verso, 70 verso,127 verso,180 verso), and dated colophons (fols. 27 recto, 70 recto, 127 recto, 180 recto, 213 recto); standard page: 4 columns, 19 lines of text.
Binding: The manuscript is bound in leather over paper pasteboards with gold block-stamped exterior covers and doublures of gold leather filigree over a multicolored paper ground. The envelope flap has a border and surface identical to that on the exterior cover.

View right to left

Historical period(s)
Safavid period, 1548-1549 (955-956 A.H.)
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W (overall): 28.2 x 18.1 cm (11 1/8 x 7 1/8 in)
Geography
Iran
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1907.160
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Manuscript
Type

Manuscript

Keywords
illumination, Iran, Khamsa, nasta'liq script, Safavid period (1501 - 1722)
Provenance

To 1907
Bernard Alfred Quaritch, London, to 1907 [1]

From 1907 to 1919
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Bernard Alfred Quaritch in 1907 [2]

From 1920
Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]

Notes:

[1] See Original Purchase List of Persian Manuscripts and Miniatures, pgs. 104-105, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.

[2] See note 1.

[3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Charles Lang Freer 1854-1919
Bernard Alfred Quaritch (C.L. Freer source) 1870-1913

Description

Manuscript; Kitab al-khamsa (Book of five poems) by Jami; text: Persian in black nasta'liq script with illuminated headings; 213 folios with a double-page frontispiece (fols. 1 verso, 2 recto), 4 sarlawhs (fols. 27 verso, 70 verso,127 verso,180 verso), and dated colophons (fols. 27 recto, 70 recto, 127 recto, 180 recto, 213 recto); standard page: 4 columns, 19 lines of text.
Binding: The manuscript is bound in leather over paper pasteboards with gold block-stamped exterior covers and doublures of gold leather filigree over a multicolored paper ground. The envelope flap has a border and surface identical to that on the exterior cover.

Inscription(s)

Colophon for first book (Folio 27, recto):
"and to God be praise...
and peace on Muhammad
and to his servants glory
and peace of abundant
blessings. I have written
it in the months of the year
nine hundred and fifty-five."
70 recto:
Subhatu'l-abrar
"written in the third month
Dhu'l-qa'da the year nine hundred
and fifty-five."
127 recto:
Yusuf u Zulaykha
"written in the eighth month Dhu'l-
hijja the year nine hundred
and fifty-five."
180 recto:
Layla va Majnun
"written in the month Muharram
al haram the year nine hundred
and fifty-six the year of the
Prophet."
213 recto:
Khirad-nama-i-Sikandari (The Book of the wisdom of Alexander).
"Written in the month Safar
finished in the year nine
hundred and fifty-six
the year of the Prophet peace
and happiness abundant."

Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use