Khamsa (Quintet) and Divan by Khwaju Kirmani (d. 1352 or 1361)

By 1912-?
Fredrik Robert Martin (1868-1933), method of acquisition unknown [1]

?-1923
Rudolf Meyer Riefstahl (1880-1936), method of acquisition unknown [2]

1923
Sale, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, Charles Vignier, "Liquidation de Biens Meyer-Riefstahl: Ayant fait l'objet d'une mesure de séquestre de guerre, première vente," April 23-24, 1923, lot 128 [3]

From at least 1931-1942
Henri Vever (1854-1942), method of acquisition unknown [4]

1942-1947
Jeanne Louise Monthiers (1861-1947), bequest of Henri Vever [5]

1947-1986
Francois Mautin (1907-2003), bequest of Jeanne Louise Monthiers and Henri Vever [6]

From 1986
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery purchased from Francois Mautin [7]
Notes:

[1] See Fredrik Robert Martin, "The miniature painting and painters of Persia, India and Turkey, from the 8th to the 18th century, Vol. 2" [book] (London: Bernard Quaritch, 1912), no. 243, plate 243. In the publication, Fredrik Robert Martin is listed as owner of the work. Fredrik Robert Martin was a Swedish diplomat, archeologist, and historian who also specialized in Islamic art. He was an avid collector and dealer of Islamic art, especially manuscripts.

[2] See note 3. Rudolf Meyer Riefstahl was a German-American art historian specializing in medieval Islamic art. At the beginning of World War I, Meyer Riefstahl relocated from Paris, France to New York City, where he eventually became a professor at the Institute of Fine Arts. Meyer Riefstahl left his art collection in Paris and the French government sequestered the collection as an "Enemy Alien Asset." The collection was sold in two auctions, the first in 1923 and the second in 1925.

[3] See Hôtel Drouot, Charles Vignier, "Liquidation de Biens Meyer-Riefstahl: Ayant fait l'objet d'une mesure de séquestre de guerre, première vente," [auction catalogue] (Paris: Hotel Drouot, April 23-24, 1923) lot 128.

[4] An accomplished French jeweler and collector, Henri Vever (1854-1942) amassed a large and impressive collection of works of art during his lifetime. His holdings in Japanese prints and Islamic arts of the books, especially from Iran and India, were among the most important assembled in the early twentieth century.

It is unclear if Vever acquired this work from the Meyer-Riefstahl sequestration sale (see notes 2 and 3) or if he purchased it from an intermediary. Regardless, Vever had this work by 1931, when he lent it for exhibition. See "International Exhibition of Persian Art, 7 January 1931 to 7 March 1931" [exhibition catalogue] (London: Royal Academy of Arts, 1931), no, 539B. This work was in Vever's collection at the time of his death in 1942.

[5] Upon Henri Vever's death on September 25, 1942, his wife, Jeanne Louise Monthiers inherited the work. See exhibits F and G of Agreement of Purchase and Sale of the Henri Vever Collection, January 9, 1986, copy in object file.

[6] Upon the death of Jeanne Louise Monthiers, as stipulated in the will of Henri Vever, the family's assets were divided evenly between his two grandchildren. His only grandson, Francois Mautin inherited the collection known as "The Henri Vever Collection of Oriental Art and Manuscripts Including Persian and Indian Art and Manuscripts." This work is part of that collection. See exhibits F and G as cited in note 5.

[7] The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery purchased the entirety of the collection from Francois Mautin on January 9, 1986. See purchase agreement, copy in object file.

Research completed May 4, 2022.