Two album leaves of calligraphy, manuscript on paper, the first with central panel of four lines of large elegant black nasta'liq, signed by Shah Mahmud (al-Nishapuri), borders of panels of small lines of nasta'liq on pale blue ground and panels of illumination, within a gold border of meandering vine on dark blue ground, on pink gold painted leaf, mounted on marbled paper; the second with central panels of small black nasta'liq, with signature of Shah Mahmud (possibly applied), bordered by illumination and lines of larger script, in gold meandering vine border on pale blue ground, on cream leaf, mounted on marbled paper, (some rubbing and light staining), versos blank, both Persia, 16th century and later, both mounted, framed and glazed - leaf 11½ x 7in. (29.4 x 18cm.)

Details

Two album leaves of calligraphy, manuscript on paper, the first with central panel of four lines of large elegant black nasta'liq, signed by Shah Mahmud (al-Nishapuri), borders of panels of small lines of nasta'liq on pale blue ground and panels of illumination, within a gold border of meandering vine on dark blue ground, on pink gold painted leaf, mounted on marbled paper; the second with central panels of small black nasta'liq, with signature of Shah Mahmud (possibly applied), bordered by illumination and lines of larger script, in gold meandering vine border on pale blue ground, on cream leaf, mounted on marbled paper, (some rubbing and light staining), versos blank, both Persia, 16th century and later, both mounted, framed and glazed - leaf 11½ x 7in. (29.4 x 18cm.)
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Lot Essay

Shah Mahmud (Zarin Qalam) al-Nishapuri (d.1564) was a pupil of 'Abdi and worked mostly in Tabriz, moving to Mashhad for approximately the last decade of his life. He was royal calligrapher to Shah Tahmasp and was without doubt one of the greatest calligraphers of his time, being reknowned especially for his perfect nasta'liq.

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