Page of Calligraphy from an Anthology of Poetry by Sa`di and Hafiz

Sa'di|Hafiz|Sultan 'Ali al-Mashhadi

late 15th century · Ink, opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper · Islamic Art

This folio, copied by Sultan 'Ali Mashhadi—a renowned master of nasta'liq script—once formed part of an anthology of Persian poetry including selections from the works of Sa'di and Hafiz. It was common practice for valuable manuscripts to be remounted within new margins whether for aesthetic or preservation reasons. The folios of this highly treasured fifteenth‑century manuscript were remounted in the sixteenth century within colored margin papers beautifully painted with diverse scenes in silver and gold.

Artist

Sa'di|Hafiz|Sultan 'Ali al-Mashhadi

Date

late 15th century

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Frederick C. Hewitt Fund, 1911