Anthology of Persian Poetry in Oblong Format (Safina)

Sultan Muhammad Nur

dated A.H. 905/1499–1500 CE · Ink, watercolor, and gold on paper. Binding: leather · Islamic Art

Images of angel-like, winged creatures known in Persian as pari enliven the small, delicately stenciled pages of this oblong-format Persian poetry anthology. With its stenciled folios, pseudo-marbleized pages, and multicolored papers and inks, this manuscript displays many of the innovative decorative techniques that developed within the Persian book arts during the fifteenth century. The engaging "patchwork" conceit of its colorful pages echoes the collected nature of its text—a gathering of short, sonnetlike Persian ghazals by diverse authors.

Artist

Sultan Muhammad Nur

Date

dated A.H. 905/1499–1500 CE

Medium

Ink, watercolor, and gold on paper. Binding: leather

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Rogers Fund, Louis E. and Theresa S. Seley Purchase Fund for Islamic Art, and Persian Heritage Foundation Gift, 1997