ANTHOLOGY

SAFAVID IRAN, 1500-1520 AD

Details

ANTHOLOGY
SAFAVID IRAN, 1500-1520 AD
Composed primarily of the Diwan of Hafiz, but ending with couplets from the Gulistan of Sa'di, Persian manuscript on paper, 183ff. plus 2 fly-leaves, each folio with 14ll. of black nasta'liq arranged in two columns with double gold and black intercolumnar rules, catchwords, headings in blue and gold, opening bifolio with gold and polychrome illumination framing 4ll. of nasta'liq in clouds reserved against gold floral background, some later owner's marks including that of the library of Selim I, some staining and marginal repair, in contemporaneous and possibly original brown morocco with flap and gilt stamped central floral medallion and spandrels, repaired at spine
Text panel 5 3/8 x 2¾in. (13.8 x 6.7cm.); folio 8 1/8 x 5in. (25 x 13cm.)

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Lot Essay

A stamp on the opening folio of this manuscript indicates that it once belonged to the library of Selim I (r. AD 918-26/1512-20 AD). The seal itself is now kept in the Topkapi Museum. Given the relatively short period of Selim I's reign, it is rare to find manuscripts from his library.

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