Folio from an unidentified text; recto: text; verso: illuminated medallion with two ornamental borders

Detached folio from an unidentified text; recto: text, 1 column, 11 lines; verso: a shamsa, illuminated medallion with a calligraphic inner border in kufic script and two ornamental outer borders.
Border: The recto is set in gold, black and blue rulings on cream-colored paper. The shamsa is mounted on cream-colored paper.

Historical period(s)
13th-14th century
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 33.8 x 24.6 cm (13 5/16 x 9 11/16 in)
Geography
Iran
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1933.3
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Manuscript
Type

Manuscript folio

Keywords
illumination, Iran, kufic script, shamsa
Provenance

To 1933
Kirkor Minassian (1974-1944), New York. [1]

From 1933
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Kirkor Minassian, New York. [2]

Notes:

[1] Curatorial Remark 1 in the object record.

[2] See note 1.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Kirkor Minassian 1874-1944

Description

Detached folio from an unidentified text; recto: text, 1 column, 11 lines; verso: a shamsa, illuminated medallion with a calligraphic inner border in kufic script and two ornamental outer borders.
Border: The recto is set in gold, black and blue rulings on cream-colored paper. The shamsa is mounted on cream-colored paper.

Inscription(s)

In roundel, inside rim, repetition of "The kingdom belongs to God" in kufic script.

Published References
  • Freer Gallery of Art. Gallery Book I: Exhibition of November 1933. Washington. .
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.