Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami (d.1209); recto: Bilqis enthroned, left-hand half of a double-page; verso: Sarlawh and text unrelated to Khamsa (from the Shahnama of Firdawsi)

Detached folio from a dispersed copy of Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami; text: Persian in black nasta’liq script; recto: left-hand half of a double-page composition mounted on an unrelated page of the Shahnama, facing folio (S1986.189.1), Bilqis enthroned; verso: text from the Shahnama of Firdawsi; sarlawh; four columns, fifteen lines, one of a group of two folios.
Border: recto: the painting is set in a blue and red inner frame and an illuminated outer frame; verso: the text is set in gold, red and blue rulings on paper with landscape and animal motifs.

Historical period(s)
Safavid period, ca.1560
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 33.3 x 20.8 cm (13 1/8 x 8 3/16 in)
Geography
Iran, Shiraz
Credit Line
Purchase — Smithsonian Unrestricted Trust Funds, Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program, and Dr. Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Accession Number
S1986.189.2
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Manuscript
Type

Detached manuscript folio

Keywords
Bilqis, harp, Henri Vever collection, illumination, Iran, percussion instrument, princess, Safavid period (1501 - 1722)
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Detached folio from a dispersed copy of Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami; text: Persian in black nasta'liq script; recto: left-hand half of a double-page composition mounted on an unrelated page of the Shahnama, facing folio (S1986.189.1), Bilqis enthroned; verso: text from the Shahnama of Firdawsi; sarlawh; four columns, fifteen lines, one of a group of two folios.
Border: recto: the painting is set in a blue and red inner frame and an illuminated outer frame; verso: the text is set in gold, red and blue rulings on paper with landscape and animal motifs.

Published References
  • Glenn D. Lowry, Milo Cleveland Beach, Elisabeth West FitzHugh, Susan Nemanzee, Janet Snyder. An Annotated and Illustrated Checklist of the Vever Collection. Washington and Seattle. cat. 298, p. 259.
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.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use

Related Objects