Page of Calligraphy

Muhammad Isma'il ibn al Vesal

dated A.H. 1280/ 1863 CE · Ink and opaque watercolor on paper · Islamic Art

This composition consists of pairs of short diagonal lines of text forming a chevron pattern in black, red and blue ink. The contents include verses from Rumi’s Mathnavi and invocations to ʿAli (the first Shi’ite Imam). According to an inscription, the folio was intended as a presentation piece from the calligrapher to a "real friend." Written in ghubar (dust-like script), the page is by Muhammad Isma’il known as Tawhid, the fifth son of the renowned calligrapher and poet Muhammad Shafiʿ Vesal (see 1979.518.6). He was reportedly a jewelry designer and a poet and had the unique ability to copy Qur’anic and literary verses in minute proportions.

Artist

Muhammad Isma'il ibn al Vesal

Date

dated A.H. 1280/ 1863 CE

Medium

Ink and opaque watercolor on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of Charles K. Wilkinson, 1979