Folio from a Khusraw u Shirin by Nizami (d.1209); recto: Sun-burst medallion (Shamsa); verso: text and illuminated heading (sarlawh)

Detail of a pattern
Image 1 of 2
Download Image IIIF

Terms of Use

Usage Conditions Apply

At A Glance

  • Period

    ca. 1400
  • Geography

    Iran
  • Material

    Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
  • Dimension

    H x W: 30.8 x 21.3 cm (12 1/8 x 8 3/8 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1931.37
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1931.37

Object Details

  • Calligrapher

    Ali ibn Hasan al-Sultani
  • Description

    Detached folio from the Khusraw u Shirin from a Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami; text: Persian in black nasta'liq script ; recto: roundel (shamsa); verso: text with one main illuminated heading (sarlawh) inscribed with white ornamental "eastern kufic"; 4 columns; one of a group of 7 detached folios (F1931-37) from the manuscript (F1931.29) and the book binding (F 1931.30); accessioned separately.
    Border: The recto is set in gold, green and blue rulings on gold-sprinkled paper; the verso is set in gold rulings with a blue outer frame of floral and tendril motifs on gold-sprinkled paper.
  • Provenance

    To 1931
    Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962), New York to 1931 [1]
    From 1931
    Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Hagop Kevorkian, New York in 1931 [2]
    Notes:
    [1] Object file, undated folder sheet note. See also Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List file, Collections Management Office.
    [2] See note 1.
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    Arts of the Islamic World (May 3, 1998 to January 3, 2016)
    From Concept to Context: Approaches to Asian and Islamic Calligraphy (July 28, 1986 to February 6, 1987)
    Islamic Manuscript Illumination (January 23, 1984 to December 10, 1984)
    Islamic Calligraphy (May 14, 1981 to June 24, 1982)
    Near Eastern Art (June 15, 1973 to May 7, 1975)
    2500 Years of Persian Art—Calligraphy (February 10, 1972 to June 15, 1973)
    Near Eastern Art--Calligraphy (August 18, 1967 to February 10, 1972)
    Untitled Exhibition, Persian and Near Eastern Art (May 5, 1933 to September 24, 1947)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962)
  • Origin

    Iran
  • Credit Line

    Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
  • Type

    Manuscript
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

    There are restrictions for re-using this media. 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 National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring