Persian manuscript on paper, four double sided calligraphic panels pasted on card, in nastaliq andshikasta in various sizes andvarious line and text arrangements, each panel decorated with illuminated and marbled borders, previously in concertina format but now in loose panels
Album page 16³⁄₄ x 10¹⁄₄in. (42.5 x 26cm.)

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Lot Essay

One of the panels in this group is signed by 'Abd al-Rashid [Daylami], also known as 'Rashida' (d. 1647) who was a calligrapher that served in the Mughal court of Shah Jahan. Not only was he the nephew of the famed calligrapher and master of nasta'liq Mir 'Imad, he was also his disciple. After the assassination of his famous uncle in 1615, 'Abd al-Rashid was given shelter by Jahangir at the Mughal court. Subsequently 'Abd al-Rashid was appointed as the calligraphy instructor to Shah Jahan's favourite son Dara Shikoh. Another panel is signed by Mir 'Ali al-Katib (d. 1556) who is often mentioned by Safavid sources as amongst the most important nasta'liq calligraphers of all time. Various authorities attribute the codifying of the aesthetic rules of nasta'liq script to him. Born in Herat circa 1476, he was later taken to Bukhara by the Shaybanid ruler 'Ubaydullah Khan after his capture of Herat in 1528-29 (Mehdi Bayani, Ahval va Asar-e Khosh-Nevisan, vol. II, Tehran 1346 sh., p.494). Three further panels are signed by Muhammad Husayn al-Tabrizi (d. 17 Rajab AH 985/30 September 1577 AD) who was a known calligrapher of nasta'liq of the Safavid period. He was in charge of the inscriptions on monuments and government buildings during the reign of Shah Isma'il II (r. 1576-78). None of his recorded works are dated (Mehdi Bayani, op. cit., 1348 sh, pp. 680-83). One panel is signed by Muhammad Reza Tabrizi, of whom nothing has been recorded. The final panel is signed by 'Abdi, likely to be identified with 'Abdi Bukhara'i who, after having spent some time in Isfahan as a pupil of Mir 'Imad, travelled extensively and entered the court of the Ottoman Sultan Murad IV (r. 1623-40 AD) (Mehdi Bayani, op. cit. 1346 sh, pp. 423-4).

Post Lot Text

This lot has been imported from outside the EU for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on the invoice. Please see Conditions of Sale for further information.