Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami (d.1209); verso: text

Detached folio from a dispersed copy of Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami; Persian in black nasta’liq script; recto: couplets from chapter eight: In considering of good omen from the Khusraw u Shirin; verso: couplets from Iskandarnama, couplets from chapter nine: In considering proper advice from the Makhzan al-asrar, and couplets from Khusraw u Shirin; two columns, fourteen lines of text, headings in gold, red, and blue.
Border: The text is set in gold, blue, and black rulings with a turquoise floral scroll inner frame and an outer frame of gold floral scroll on blue paper with floral geometric motifs and marginal medallions.

Maker(s)
Calligrapher: Sultan Muhammad Nur (fl. as early as 1494)
Historical period(s)
Safavid period, 1513
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W (overall): 23.4 x 16 cm (9 3/16 x 6 5/16 in)
Geography
Afghanistan, Herat
Credit Line
The Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Accession Number
S1997.106
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Manuscript
Type

Detached manuscript folio

Keywords
Afghanistan, illumination, Iran, Khamsa, nasta'liq script, Ralph and Catherine Benkaim collection, Safavid period (1501 - 1722)
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Detached folio from a dispersed copy of Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami; Persian in black nasta'liq script; recto: couplets from chapter eight: In considering of good omen from the Khusraw u Shirin; verso: couplets from Iskandarnama, couplets from chapter nine: In considering proper advice from the Makhzan al-asrar, and couplets from Khusraw u Shirin; two columns, fourteen lines of text, headings in gold, red, and blue.
Border: The text is set in gold, blue, and black rulings with a turquoise floral scroll inner frame and an outer frame of gold floral scroll on blue paper with floral geometric motifs and marginal medallions.

Published References
  • Thomas Lawton, Thomas W. Lentz. Beyond the Legacy: Anniversary Acquisitions for the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. vol. 1 Washington, 1998. pp. 144-147.
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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