- 74
A calligraphic album page, signed by ‘Ali al-Husayni, Persia, Safavid, first half 16th century
Estimate
7,000 - 10,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- ink on paper
- text panel: 20 by 12cm.leaf: 32 by 23cm.
Persian manuscript on paper, the quatrain written diagonally in black nasta’liq, the panel decorated with polychrome and gold floral scrolls against a blue ground, encircled by 8 cartouches of black nasta’liq within clouds against a gold ground decorated with polychrome scrolls, the right margin with three illuminated devices, framed
Condition
In generally good condition, minor holes, losses and smudges, minor stains, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Many calligraphers signed 'Ali al-Husayni but this delicate panel was likely to be copied by Mir ‘Ali al-Harawi, one of the most famous nata’liq calligraphers of the sixteenth century. Al-Harawi started working at the Timurid court of Sultan Husayn Baygara, where he was given the titles sultani and katib a-sultan. After the capture of Herat in 1528 AD he was taken to Bukhara by Uzbak ‘Ubaydullah Khan where he died circa 1550. His recorded works copied in both Herat and Bukhara are dated between 914 AH (1508-09 AD) and 951 AH (1544 AD) (Mehdi Bayani, ahval va asar-e khosh-navisan, vol.2, Tehran, 1346sh, pp.493-516).
The cartouches in the margins are couplets from Sa’adi’s Gulistan. An album page attributed to his period in Bukhara is in the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington (inv.no. F1939.50b), another is in the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto (inv.no.AKM255).
The cartouches in the margins are couplets from Sa’adi’s Gulistan. An album page attributed to his period in Bukhara is in the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington (inv.no. F1939.50b), another is in the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto (inv.no.AKM255).