Page of calligraphy

Detached album folio; Page of calligraphy; text: Persian in black nasta’liq script; two couplets from the Divan of Jami; corners embellished with triangular illuminated panels.
Border: The text is set in gold, black and white rulings with a gold-sprinkled inner frame, mounted on a paperboard with stenciled birds and floral motifs.

Maker(s)
Author: Jami (died 1492)
Historical period(s)
Safavid period, 1541-42 (948 A.H.)
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W (overall): 32.3 x 20.7 cm (12 11/16 x 8 1/8 in)
Geography
Iran
Credit Line
Purchase — Smithsonian Unrestricted Trust Funds, Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program, and Dr. Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S1986.328
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Album, Calligraphy
Type

Detached album folio

Keywords
Divan, Henri Vever collection, Iran, Safavid period (1501 - 1722), stenciling, WWII-era provenance
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Detached album folio; Page of calligraphy; text: Persian in black nasta'liq script; two couplets from the Divan of Jami; corners embellished with triangular illuminated panels.
Border: The text is set in gold, black and white rulings with a gold-sprinkled inner frame, mounted on a paperboard with stenciled birds and floral motifs.

Inscription(s)

"In the year [A.H.] 948 [A.D. 1541-1542]."

Label

The two couplets by the celebrated poet and mystic Jami (died 1492) are characteristic of the type of lyrical poetry frequently paired with album-page paintings.

My love, why do you not inquire about your friends?
Soothe the heart ache of those thinking of you?
Retract your skirt from my tear drops?
Like the canna flower, why do you not withdraw from the rain?

Published References
  • Glenn D. Lowry, Milo Cleveland Beach, Elisabeth West FitzHugh, Susan Nemanzee, Janet Snyder. An Annotated and Illustrated Checklist of the Vever Collection. Washington and Seattle. cat. 446, p. 360.
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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