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Lot Essay
Imam Quli Khan was the Ashtarkhanid ruler of Bukhara from AH 1019-51 (1611-41 AD). The dynasty is also known as the Toqay Timurids or Janids. They ruled Transoxiana and Northern Afghanistan for just over 150 years. At the time of Imam Quli Khan, the province was divided in two with his brother ruling as a lesser Khan in Balkh. (Bosworth, C.E.: The New Islamic Dynasties, Edinburgh, 1996, pp. 290-1).
The dedication roundel says that the manuscript was completed under the supervision of the librarian, Mirak Yadgar. Karimzadeh records an unknown calligrapher and painter called Mirak Munshi who worked in the scriptorium of 'Abd al-Aziz Khan, the nephew of Imam Quli Khan who ruled from 1055/1645. They may be the same man. (Karimzadeh-Tabrizi, M.'A.: The Lives and Art of Old Painters in Iran, London, 1991, p. 1339).
The illumination is very fine and the palette unusual. A fine copy of the Khamseh of Nizami with miniatures made for 'Abd al-Aziz Khan in AH 1064-6/1653-6 AD was sold in these rooms, 25 April 1997, lot 64.
The binding is highly unusual and contemporary with the manuscript.
The dedication roundel says that the manuscript was completed under the supervision of the librarian, Mirak Yadgar. Karimzadeh records an unknown calligrapher and painter called Mirak Munshi who worked in the scriptorium of 'Abd al-Aziz Khan, the nephew of Imam Quli Khan who ruled from 1055/1645. They may be the same man. (Karimzadeh-Tabrizi, M.'A.: The Lives and Art of Old Painters in Iran, London, 1991, p. 1339).
The illumination is very fine and the palette unusual. A fine copy of the Khamseh of Nizami with miniatures made for 'Abd al-Aziz Khan in AH 1064-6/1653-6 AD was sold in these rooms, 25 April 1997, lot 64.
The binding is highly unusual and contemporary with the manuscript.