An illuminated book of prayers, copied by Ahmad al-Nayrizi, Persia, Safavid, dated 1112 AH/1700 AD

Arabic manuscript on paper, 18 leaves plus 5 fly-leaves, 10 lines to the page, written in naskh in black ink within cloud bands against a gold ground, headings in gold, ruled in red, green, gold and blue, later Qajar margins with comments in nasta’liq within gold-ground cartouches, opening illuminated headpiece decorated with gold and polychrome flower scrolls, blue and red leather binding with gilt-stamped floral cartouches

In good condition, minor smudges and stains to the margins, the gold slightly darker in some areas, as viewed.
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Ahmad al-Nayrizi was one of the most prolific calligraphers of the Safavid period. Born in Nayriz in Fars, he studied calligraphy under Muhammad Ibrahim ibn Muhammad Nasir Qumi, also known as Aqa Ibrahim Qumi (active between 1659 and 1707). Al-Nayrizi later moved to Isfahan and became the court calligrapher during the reign of Shah Sultan Husayn (r.1694- 1722). A prayerbook dated 1132 AH/1719 AD is in the Metropolitan Museum of Arts, New York (inv.no. 2003.239 ). Other collections of prayers have been offered in these rooms, 8 October 2014, lot 49; 6 April 2011, lot 221 and 1 April 2009, lot 11. For additional information on the calligrapher see Semsar 1998, pp.100-8 and Safwat 1996, pp.212-13.