Folio from a Khusraw u Shirin by Nizami (d.1209); recto: Sun-burst medallion (Shamsa); verso: text and illuminated heading (sarlawh)

citation

Detached folio from the Khusraw u Shirin from a Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami; text: Persian in black nasta’liq script ; recto: roundel (shamsa); verso: text with one main illuminated heading (sarlawh) inscribed with white ornamental “eastern kufic”; 4 columns; one of a group of 7 detached folios (F1931-37) from the manuscript (F1931.29) and the book binding (F 1931.30); accessioned separately.
Border: The recto is set in gold, green and blue rulings on gold-sprinkled paper; the verso is set in gold rulings with a blue outer frame of floral and tendril motifs on gold-sprinkled paper.

Maker(s): Calligrapher: Ali ibn Hasan al-Sultani

Historical period(s): Jalayirid period, ca. 1400

Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Dimensions: H x W: 30.8 x 21.3 cm (12 1/8 x 8 3/8 in)

Geography: Iran

Credit Line: Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

Accession Number: F1931.37

On View Location: Currently not on view

Classification(s): Manuscript

Type: Detached manuscript folio

Keywords: eastern kufic script, illumination, Iran, Jalayirid dynasty (1340 - 1432), medallion, shamsa

Provenance

To 1931
Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962), New York to 1931 [1]

From 1931
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Hagop Kevorkian, New York in 1931 [2]

Notes:

[1] Object file, undated folder sheet note. See also Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List file, Collections Management Office.

[2] See note 1.

Previous Owner(s): Hagop Kevorkian 1872 - 1962

Description: Detached folio from the Khusraw u Shirin from a Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami; text: Persian in black nasta'liq script ; recto: roundel (shamsa); verso: text with one main illuminated heading (sarlawh) inscribed with white ornamental "eastern kufic"; 4 columns; one of a group of 7 detached folios (F1931-37) from the manuscript (F1931.29) and the book binding (F 1931.30); accessioned separately.
Border: The recto is set in gold, green and blue rulings on gold-sprinkled paper; the verso is set in gold rulings with a blue outer frame of floral and tendril motifs on gold-sprinkled paper.