Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami (d.1209)

Object Details

• Description

  Detached folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami; text: Persian in white nasta'liq script; right hand half recto: blank, verso: right-hand half of a double-page frontispiece, facing folio (S1986.2); left-hand half recto: left-hand half of a double page frontispiece, facing folio (S1986.1), verso: blank; introduction to the Khamsa; one of a group of two folios.

  Border: The text is set in illuminated border mounted on cream-colored paper.

• Previous custodian or owner

  Francois Mautin (1907-2003)

  Jeanne Louise Monthiers (1861-1947)

  Henri Vever (1854-1942)

  Indjoudjian Freres

• Provenance

  ?-1910

  Possibly Indjoudjian Frères, method of acquisition unknown [1]

  1910-1942

  Henri Vever (1854-1942), likely purchased from Indjoudjian Frères [2]

  1942-1947

  Jeanne Louise Monthiers (1861-1947), bequest of Henri Vever [3]

  1947-1986

  Francois Mautin (1907-2003), bequest of Jeanne Louise Monthiers and Henri Vever [4]

  From 1986

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery purchased from Francois Mautin [5]

  Notes:

  [1] See account ledger referenced in note 2. Vever identifies Indjoudjian Frères as located along rue Le Peletier. Indjoudjian Frères was an antiquities dealership based in Paris and New York, owned by the Armenian-born brothers Agop (1871-1951) and Meguerditch (1884-1927).

  [2] An accomplished French jeweler and collector, Henri Vever (1854-1942) amassed a large and impressive collection of

  works of art during his lifetime. His holdings in Japanese prints and Islamic arts of the books, especially from Iran and India,

  were among the most important assembled in the early twentieth century.

  This work is possibly the "double page de titre de Coron, très fine" that Vever purchased from

  Indjoudjian Frères on December 9, 1910, see Henri Vever Account Ledger, December 9, 1910 FSA A1988.04.2.2.25, from Henri Vever Papers. Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.Vever describes the double-folio as "1 double page de titre de Coran, très finie. » Vever had the

  folios in his collection at the time of his death in 1942.

  [3] Upon Henri Vever's death on September 25, 1942, his wife, Jeanne Louise Monthiers inherited the work. See exhibits F and G of Agreement of Purchase and Sale of the Henri Vever Collection, January 9, 1986, copy in object file.

  [4] Upon the death of Jeanne Louise Monthiers, as stipulated in the will of Henri Vever, the family's assets were divided evenly between his two grandchildren. His only grandson, Francois Mautin inherited the collection known as "The Henri Vever Collection of Oriental Art and Manuscripts Including Persian and Indian Art and Manuscripts." This folios were part of that collection. See exhibits F and G as cited in note 2.

  [5] The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery purchased the entirety of the collection from Francois Mautin on January 9, 1986. See purchase agreement, copy in object file.

  Research completed May 4, 2022.

• Origin

  Iran

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Smithsonian Unrestricted Trust Funds, Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program, and Dr. Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Manuscript

• Restrictions and Rights

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  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1700s, 1710s, 1720s, 1500s, 1610s, 1600s, 1590s, 1540s, 1650s, 1530s, 1640s, 1520s, 1630s, 1510s, 1620s, 1580s, 1730s, 1690s, 1570s, 1680s, 1560s, 1670s, 1550s, 1660s

• Name

  Mautin, Francois Albert, Indjoudjian Freres, Monthiers, Jeanne Louise, Vever, Henri

• Topic

  S?afavid dynasty, 1501-1736, Art, Henri Vever collection, Khamsa, Arts of the Islamic World, Illumination

• Culture

  Muslims, Iranians

• Language

  Nasta?li-q script

• Object Type

  Manuscripts