19th Jun, 2025 12:00
Arts of India and the Islamic Lands
78
AN ILLUMINATED PERSIAN MASNAVI BY JAJAL AL-DIN RUMI (d. 1273)
Safavid Iran, dated 1081 AH (1670 AD)
AN ILLUMINATED PERSIAN MASNAVI BY JAJAL AL-DIN RUMI (d. 1273)
Safavid Iran, dated 1081 AH (1670 AD)
Persian manuscript on wove paper, 494ff., 2 fly-leaves and 2 endpapers, with 17ll. of elegant black ink nasta'liq script to the page, the text arranged into two parallel columns, customary for Persian poetry, with diagonal chalipa format text blocks on the margins acting as commentary, each opening page of the six chapters (daftars or books) of the complete work lavishly illuminated in gold and polychromes, with cusped arches at the top infilled with stylised arabesque medallions, intertwined split palmettes, and spiraling floral scrolls, the text clustered in cloudbands against a gold ground, within gold and blue rules, dated 1081 at the end of every daftar, the last page inscribed by the calligrapher Muhammad Saleh Maqsood, in a later Qajar polychrome-painted papier-mâché lacquered binding with daffodils on the front covers and floral triumphs on the inner covers, the back cover placed upside down.
The text panel 17cm x 7.5cm, the folio 25.8cm x 15.5cm
Sold for £4,674
AN ILLUMINATED PERSIAN MASNAVI BY JAJAL AL-DIN RUMI (d. 1273)
Safavid Iran, dated 1081 AH (1670 AD)
Persian manuscript on wove paper, 494ff., 2 fly-leaves and 2 endpapers, with 17ll. of elegant black ink nasta'liq script to the page, the text arranged into two parallel columns, customary for Persian poetry, with diagonal chalipa format text blocks on the margins acting as commentary, each opening page of the six chapters (daftars or books) of the complete work lavishly illuminated in gold and polychromes, with cusped arches at the top infilled with stylised arabesque medallions, intertwined split palmettes, and spiraling floral scrolls, the text clustered in cloudbands against a gold ground, within gold and blue rules, dated 1081 at the end of every daftar, the last page inscribed by the calligrapher Muhammad Saleh Maqsood, in a later Qajar polychrome-painted papier-mâché lacquered binding with daffodils on the front covers and floral triumphs on the inner covers, the back cover placed upside down.
The text panel 17cm x 7.5cm, the folio 25.8cm x 15.5cm
Auction: Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, 19th Jun, 2025
Our specialist auction Arts of India and the Islamic Lands is now online for you to browse, peruse and fall in love with your next antique.
Among the highlights, this sale vaunts a remarkable selection of Rajput Schools paintings and an illustrated loose folio from a Timurid Haft Paykar series, all part of a private Canadian collection; several gem-studded Indian necklaces, treasured heirlooms of a local family; a notable group of Islamic manuscripts, including a geomantic tome attributed to the Nubian alchemist Dhul-Nun al-Misri; and several lots of Persian Qajar lacquer belonging to the heir of a British diplomatic family in office under Sir Denis Wright in Tehran between 1971 - 1973.
Our selected lots preview starts next week, on Tuesday 3rd June, and the full view is going to take place from Friday 13th June until the sale day.
Mark your calendars and come to see us!
For any enquiries, please contact us at:
Viewing
Viewing:
13th June - 10:00 - 17:00
14th June - 11:00 - 16:00
15th June - 11:00 - 16:00
16th June - 10:00 - 17:00
17th June - 10:00 - 17:00
18th June - 10:00 - 17:00
