Composite page of calligraphy; recto, calligraphic panel, two couplets from the Divan of Amir Khusraw Dihlavi with side calligraphic panels; verso, verses from the Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi

Detached album folio; text: Persian in black nasta’liq script; recto: text: two couplets from the Divan of Amir Khusraw Dihlavi arranged in four diagonal lines in the center, surrounded by other fragments of calligraphy in nasta’liq, corners embellished with triangular illuminated panels; verso: verses from Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi, text: Eblis turns himself into a cook, a gold heading: Jamshid’s fortune demolished, four columns, twenty-four lines.
Border: The calligraphies on the recto are mounted on gold-sprinkled paperboard. The verso is set in gold, black and blue rulings mounted on paperboard.

View right to left

Historical period(s)
Safavid period, 17th century
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 33.5 x 21.7 cm (13 3/16 x 8 9/16 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
S1986.332
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Album, Calligraphy
Type

Detached album folio

Keywords
Henri Vever collection, Iran, nasta'liq script, Safavid period (1501 - 1722)
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Detached album folio; text: Persian in black nasta'liq script; recto: text: two couplets from the Divan of Amir Khusraw Dihlavi arranged in four diagonal lines in the center, surrounded by other fragments of calligraphy in nasta'liq, corners embellished with triangular illuminated panels; verso: verses from Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi, text: Eblis turns himself into a cook, a gold heading: Jamshid's fortune demolished, four columns, twenty-four lines.
Border: The calligraphies on the recto are mounted on gold-sprinkled paperboard. The verso is set in gold, black and blue rulings mounted on paperboard.

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. 450, p. 361.
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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