Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami ( d. 1209)

Manuscript; Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami; Persian in black nasta’liq script with headings in gold, red, and blue, kufic and naskhi script; 346 folios with a shamsa (fol.1 recto), double-page frontispiece (fols.1 verso-2recto), 5 unwans (fols. 30 verso, 84 verso, 155 verso, 217 verso, 302 verso), 10 illuminated folios, 32 paintings (40recto, 44 verso, 52 verso, 55 recto, 74 recto, 80 verso, 94 verso, 98 recto, 105 verso, 120 verso, 129 recto, 130 verso, 141 recto, 143 recto, 164 recto, 167 recto, 190 recto, 194 recto, 199 verso, 204 verso, 210 recto, 231 recto, 246 recto, 258 verso, 262 recto, 267 recto, 271 recto, 274 recto, 278 recto, 282 recto, 319 verso, 334 recto), and 3 colophons ( 29 verso, 301 verso, 346 recto); inscriptions (folio 346 recto); standard page: 4 columns; 21 lines of text.
Binding: The binding has been removed and replaced with paper-lined pasteboard covers.

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Maker(s)
Calligrapher: Ibn al-Mubarak Ali al-Fahraji
Historical period(s)
Aq Qoyunlu dynasty, Turkmen period and Safavid period, 1502-1503 (908 A.H.)
Medium
Opaque watercolor and ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 21.3 x 16.8 cm (8 3/8 x 6 5/8 in)
Geography
Iran
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1982.25
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Manuscript
Type

Manuscript

Keywords
Aq Qoyunlu dynasty (1378 - 1501), emperor, hunting, illumination, Iran, Khamsa, kufic script, landscape, naskh script, nasta'liq script, prince, princess, river, Safavid period (1501 - 1722), shamsa, Turkmen period (1378 - 1508)
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Manuscript; Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami; Persian in black nasta'liq script with headings in gold, red, and blue, kufic and naskhi script; 346 folios with a shamsa (fol.1 recto), double-page frontispiece (fols.1 verso-2recto), 5 unwans (fols. 30 verso, 84 verso, 155 verso, 217 verso, 302 verso), 10 illuminated folios, 32 paintings (40recto, 44 verso, 52 verso, 55 recto, 74 recto, 80 verso, 94 verso, 98 recto, 105 verso, 120 verso, 129 recto, 130 verso, 141 recto, 143 recto, 164 recto, 167 recto, 190 recto, 194 recto, 199 verso, 204 verso, 210 recto, 231 recto, 246 recto, 258 verso, 262 recto, 267 recto, 271 recto, 274 recto, 278 recto, 282 recto, 319 verso, 334 recto), and 3 colophons ( 29 verso, 301 verso, 346 recto); inscriptions (folio 346 recto); standard page: 4 columns; 21 lines of text.
Binding: The binding has been removed and replaced with paper-lined pasteboard covers.

Inscription(s)

Colophon: fol. 346recto:
"This book was completed with the assistance of the all-endowing ruler by the weakest of God's slaves, Ibn al-Mubarak, known as Ali al-Fahraji, in Shawwal of the year [A.H.] 908 [April 1503]."

Published References
  • Sotheby's (London). Catalogue of Fine Oriental Miniatures, Manuscripts and an Important Quran. London, July 20, 1977. lot 236.
  • Gods, Gardens, and Elephants: An Exhibition. Exh. cat. London. pl. 14.
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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