AL-FATIHA IN NASTA'LIQ

SIGNED MIR 'ALI AL-KATIB, SAFAVID IRAN, FIRST HALF 16TH CENTURY

Details

AL-FATIHA IN NASTA'LIQ
SIGNED MIR 'ALI AL-KATIB, SAFAVID IRAN, FIRST HALF 16TH CENTURY
Arabic manuscript on paper, the opening sura of the Qur'an in nasta'liq calligraphy, the six lines arranged diagonally, each in cloudband on illuminated ground with floral decoration, signed in the bottom left corner, laid down on later illuminated card
Calligraphy 8 x 4 7/8in. (20.3 x 12.5cm.); folio 17 3/8 x 12 ½in. (44.3 x 31.6cm.)

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Lot Essay

Mir 'Ali al-Katib (d.1544-45 AD) is often mentioned by Safavid sources as amongst the most important nasta'liq calligraphers of all time. Various authorities attribute the codifying of the aesthetic rules of nasta'liq script to him. Born in Herat circa 1476 AD, he was later taken to Bukhara by the Shaybanid ruler 'Ubaydullah Khan after his capture of Herat in AH 935/1528-29 AD (Bayani, 1346 sh. p.494). His recorded works are dated between AH 914/1508-09 AD and AH 951/1544-45 AD.

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