SIGNED MAHMUD BIN ISHAQ AL-SHAHABI, SAFAVID IRAN, DATED AH 988/1580-81 AD

Details

A NASTA'LIQ QUATRAIN
SIGNED MAHMUD BIN ISHAQ AL-SHAHABI, SAFAVID IRAN, DATED AH 988/1580-81 AD
Black ink on paper, the four lines of elegant black nasta'liq script within cloud bands outlined in black and gold, the ground illuminated with floral decoration probably added later, two triangular medallions at top and bottom with fine floral sprays illuminated on blue ground, signed in the lower left corner, laid down on gold-speckled brown card
Calligraphy 5 1/8 x 3 1/8in. (12.8 x 7.9cm.); panel 9 ¼ x 6 1/8in. (23.4 x 15.4cm.)

Lot Essay

Mahmud bin Ishaq al-Shahabi was a much praised pupil of Mir 'Ali and was taken to Bukhara by 'Ubaydallah Khan after the capture of Herat. His recorded works are dated between AH 924/1518-19 AD and AH 993/1585-86 AD (Mehdi Bayani, Ahval-va asar-e khosh-nevisan, vol III., Tehran, 1346, pp.876-880). For a full account of his life see V. Minorsky (tr.), Calligraphers and Painters, Washington, 1959, p. 131.

A copy of Amir Shahi's Diwan by him sold at Christie's, London, 31 March 2009, lot 42 and a calligraphic panel on 26 April 2012, lot 29.

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