Manuscript of the Qabusnama (Mirror for Princes) by 'Unsur al-Ma'ali Kay Kavus, with lacquer binding
1864
Description
The manuscript opens with a fine illuminated heading. The text is copied in shikasta nasta`liq script in black ink, 14 lines to a page on very thin grayish paper. According to its colophon, the manuscript was copied in Rabi I 1281 H (August-September 1864) by Muhammad Hasan al-Sharif for Aqa Mirza 'Ali. The lacquer binding has on the outer cover a large diamond shaped medallion in the center, which harmonizes with the illumination in the manuscript. The inner cover is decorated with a rose branch over a yellowish ground.
Dimensions
16.8 × 10.1 × 2.3 cm (6 5/8 × 4 × 7/8 in.) Text area: 12 × 6 cm (4 3/4 × 2 3/8 in.)
Provenance
Ezzat-Malek Soudavar, Geneva, Switzerland (by 2014), by descent; to her son Abolala Soudavar, Houston, Texas (2014), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2014. Note: Ezzat-Malek Soudavar (1913-2014) formed this collection over a period of sixty years. She purchased the works of art on the international art market.
Related Artworks
View MoreInk, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
19th-20th centuryPersianInk and gold on paper
16th and 19th centuryPersianInk and gold on paper
19th centuryPersianInk on paper
16th and 19th centuryPersianInk, colors, and gold on paper
19th centuryPersianInk, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
19th centuryPersianInk, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
17th and 19th centuriesPersianInk, colors, and gold on paper
19th centuryPersianInk, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
16th and 19th centuryPersianWatercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer over metallic layer on pasteboard (covers) Ink, gold, and colors on paper (text)
17th and 19th centuriesPersianInk, colors, and gold on paper
19th centuryPersian