Arts of the Islamic World and India, including Fine Rugs and Carpets
Arts of the Islamic World and India, including Fine Rugs and Carpets
Auction Closed
April 26, 01:36 PM GMT
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Persian manuscript on paper, 6 and 9 lines to the page written in nasta'liq in black ink, arranged in two columns, illuminated panels with small birds on a gold floral ground laid down within the calligraphic page, the text panel laid down within blue and yellow borders and wide peach margins
text panel: 11.4 by 6.4cm. (largest)
leaf: 28.9 by 8.5cm.
The charming birds on this manuscript are similar to a Qasida copied by Mir 'Ali al-Harawi sold at Christie's, London, 12 October 2004, lot 112. A fly-leaf in that manuscript attributes the drawing to Muhammad Mu'min. The drawings also recall a Gulistan manuscript published in Brand and Lowry 1985, pp.65-66, no.25a and a North Indian calligraphic album page signed by Muhammad Husayn sold at Christie's, London 10 October 2013, lot 39.
It is likely that when these calligraphic pages were mounted as an album page, the owner, familiar with these delicately drawn examples chose to incorporate the panels from contemporaneous manuscripts to highlight the elegant calligraphy.
