SIGNED SHAH MAHMUD NISHAPURI, SAFAVID IRAN, DATED AH 967/1559-60 AD

Details

MUNAJAT OF 'ALI
SIGNED SHAH MAHMUD NISHAPURI, SAFAVID IRAN, DATED AH 967/1559-60 AD
Persian manuscript in verse on black paper, 6ff., each with 12ll. of elegant nasta'liq in yellow, red, white, and purple divided into staggered panels of alternating large and small text, next to each panel a vertical band of angular gold scrolls with inner green and orange rectangles, beyond these larger panels with gold scrolling arabesques, laid down within a border of cusped cartouches filled with scrolling vine and alternated with gold panels with white four-lobed panels reserved against gold ground on wide outer margins with gold animals and foliage on pale pink ground, illuminated gold and polychrome headpiece, probably added at a later date, colophon signed Shah Mahmud al-Nishapuri and dated 967, some folios coming out of their margins, some of the illumination added or retouched, in brown morocco with gold tooled central medallion with red scrolling vine
Text panel 7¼ x 4¼in. (18.4 x 10.8cm.); folio 10 3/8 x 6½in. (26.3 x 16.5cm.)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Shah Mahmud al-Nishapuri, known as 'Zarin Qalam' (Golden Pen), lived and worked in Tabriz for most of his life. He was a royal calligrapher to Shah Tahmasp (d.1574) and was without doubt one of the greatest calligraphers of his time, renowned for his "perfect nasta'liq". When the Shah lost interest in the Arts, Shah Mahmud moved to Mashhad and worked there under the patronage of Ibrahim Mirza (d.1577) until he died (Norah M. Titley, Persian miniature painting and its influence on the art of Turkey and India, London 1983, pp.84,103,105, fig.81; and A.J. Arberry (ed.), The Chester Beatty Library. A Catalogue of the Persian Manuscripts and Miniatures, Vol. II, no. 179). For further information please also see Mehdi Bayani Ahval va Asar-e Khosh-Nevisan, Vol.I, Teheran, 1345 sh, pp.295-304, Vol.II, 1346, pp. 305-7 and Minorsky, V. Calligraphers and Painters, 1959, pp. 134-7.

His recored work is dated between AH 923-982/1517-75 AD.

More from Art of The Islamic and Indian World

View All