Sultan 'Ali Mashhadi was born around the year 1437-38 AD. He was considered first among equals by calligraphers of the period. Qadi Ahmad in his famous treatise compares his writing among other writings to the sun among other planets. He was active at the court of Sultan Husayn Mirza Bayqara in Herat. He died on 10 Rabi' I AH 926/2 March 1520 AD. (V. Minorsky, Calligraphers and Painters, A Treatise by Qadi Ahmad, son of Mir Munshi, Washington, 1959, pp. 101-103). For further information about the calligrapher and another calligraphic panel by him, see lot 24 in the Arts of the Islamic and Indian Worlds including Oriental Rugs and Carpets sale to be held in these Rooms, 1 April 2021.