Nizami Ganjawi (d.AH 619/1222 AD): Khamseh

Details
Nizami Ganjawi (d.AH 619/1222 AD): Khamseh
Persia, Rajab AH 895 May-June 1490 AD

group of five famous love poems of mystical significance. illuminated manuscript on thick ivory paper, 353ff. plus four recent flyleaves, each with 21ll. elegant nasta'liq arranged in four columns, gold margins and paired intercolumnar lines between black rules, small headings in blue thuluth surrounded by gold scrolling vine within panels, (negligible smudging and staining), opening illuminated double page, principal colours blue and gold, five similar illuminated headings through the volume, colophon between illuminated panels signed by Muhammad b. 'Aziz al-Targhishi, dated Rajab 895, various Safavid and later inscriptions and seals after the colophon, other seals on f.1r and f.203r., with THIRTEEN CONTEMPORARY TURKMAN ILLUSTRATIONS, in the text, mostly half-page, (slight flaking), contemporary black morocco binding with stamped gilt medallion, spandrels and cartouche border, similar and decoupé doublures, (slight damage and repair)
text 7 5/8 x 4 1/8in. (19.3 x 10.5cm.)
folio 10 5/8 x 6 5/8in. (27.3 x 16.8cm.)

Lot Essay

From the distribution of the miniatures and the lack of certain subjects that are almost invariably present, it would appear that a number of folios are missing from this volume.
Each double folio that has a miniature has a gold and silver speckled border. The subjects of the miniatures are as follows:
f.24r.: ..................petitioning Padishah ?Sitamgur
f.92v.: Khusrau and Shirin embracing accompanied by musicians
f.154v.: Leyla visiting the emaciated Majnun in the desert
f.177r.: Bahram Gur enthroned with two slain lions at his feet
f.181r.: Fitna carrying the cow up the stairs
f.204v.: Prince ............ consulting a sage
f.209v.: Shah ............. seated in landscape with female courtiers
f.235r.: Alexander hears a report of the army of the Zangi
f.241r.: Alexander in mounted combat with the Zangi
f.252r.: Alexander at the battle of ......................
f.261r.: Alexander sleeping with Hushanak, daughter of Dara
f.286r.: Alexander observing the painting competition between the painter of Rum and that of Chin(a)
f.292v.: Alexander mounted and armed with his troopers

It is interesting to note on ff.50v. and 149r. that there are blank panels awaiting illustrations. Their borders are already gold and silver speckled.

More from Islamic

View All
View All