FARID AL-DIN 'ATTAR (CIRCA 1142-1220 AD): MANTIQ AL-TAYR

TIMURID IRAN, DATED 15 SHA'BAN AH 869/11 APRIL 1465 AD

Details

FARID AL-DIN 'ATTAR (CIRCA 1142-1220 AD): MANTIQ AL-TAYR
TIMURID IRAN, DATED 15 SHA'BAN AH 869/11 APRIL 1465 AD
Persian manuscript on ivory paper, 259ff. plus 2 fly-leaves, each folio with 10ll. of elegant black nasta'liq arranged in two columns with double gold intercolumnar rule, the text panels within similar gold frames, headings in gold naskh on panels of pink or brown hatching with blue floral motifs, opening bifolio with miniatures followed by a bifolio with gold and polychrome illumination framing 4ll. of text in clouds reserved against hatched ground, with 8 miniatures, some minor flaking and scuffing of paint, colophon dated 15 Sha'ban 869, final folios with later owner's stamps, waterstaining and spotting in the margins, in brown morocco with gilt borders and later repairs
Text panel 3 1/8 x 2in. (7.9 x 5cm.); folio 5¼ x 3½in. (13.5 x 8.7cm.)

Brought to you by

Romain Pingannaud

Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this

rpingannaud@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2374

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

Mantiq al-Tayr is the greatest work of one of the earliest Persian mystic poets, 'Attar. It is a parable describing the spiritual journey of birds, all of which have human traits and failings. Under the leadership of a Hoopoe they journey to find the legendary Simurgh. The birds represent Sufi pilgrims and the Simurgh God, the 'truth'. Each time the birds seek to excuse themselves from their quest, the Hoopoe confronts them with further allegorical stories to encourage their perseverance. Eventually the thirty birds that stay find that the Simurgh is within themselves - si murgh in fact translates as 'thirty birds'.

The miniatures in this manuscript include:

1. The king who aimed at an apple over the head of his favourite servant
2. Sheikh San'an in the tavern with the Christian girl
3. Shah Mahmud and the young fisherman
4. Zulaykha bids for Yusuf in the Egyptian market
5. Shah Mahmud and the baker
6. The princess and the slave boy
7. The prince and the beggar
8. The king who discovered his son with a beautiful princess

This manuscript was at some point in India, in the library of Yar Khan, an official of Shah 'Alam who left his seal impression in the final folios.

More from Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds

View All