Album of nasta'liq calligraphy

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Album of nasta'liq calligraphy
Persia, 16th century

comprising selected couplets, sayings, aphorisms and maxims from different sources, manuscript on buff paper, 6ff. plus one flyleaf, each with a central panel of fine nasta'liq calligraphy within a mosaic of further nasta'liq calligraphy and gold and polychrome illumination, blue, red, green and gold margins between black rules, blue outer rule, f.1r. with an illuminated shamsa within gold and orange margins, with endorsements and seal impressions, f.1v. with a minature in a central panel depicting a mounted hunter chasing a lion killing deer, f.4r. signed by al-Mashhadi, f.6r. signed by Mahmud al-Nishapuri and dated AH 981/1573-4 AD, later red morocco binding with gold and black stamped floral central medallion and pendants (repaired, minor wear)
folio 14 x 9¼in. (35.6 x 23.5cm.)
text 9 x 6in. (23.6 x 16cm.)

Lot Essay

The endorsements on the opening folio below the shamsa indicate that the manuscript was seen by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan on 17th Rabi II AH 1043/21 October 1633. There is an inscription reading Allahu akbar in what is probably the Emperor's hand above the shamsa with the impression of his oval amulatory naskh signet seal beside it.

The standard of the unsigned calligraphy is of the same quality and period as that of ................. al-Mashhadi (....-....) and Shah Mahmud al-Nishapuri (....-....) and could well be further examples of their work.

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