Summary:
Exquisite copy of selections from the Būstān, the celebrated mas̲navī of Saʻdī (d.1292), renowned Persian poet and prose writer.
Subject(s):
Persian poetry--747-1500.
Masnavis, Persian--Early works to 1800.
Manuscripts, Persian--Michigan--Ann Arbor.
Incipit:
"بنام خداوند جان آفرین حکیم سخن در زبان آفرین خداوند بخشنده ی دستگیر کریم خطا بخش پوزش پذیر عزیزی که هر کز درش سر بتافت..."
Colophon:
"Scribal," triangular, reads "وقع الفارغ من كتابته فى شهر رمضان المبارك سنه ثلاث وخمسين وتسعمائة كتبه العبد سلطان حسين بن جمشيد "
Physical Details:
Collation:
III (6), III-3 (9), III (15), 2 II(23) ; ternions and binions ; catchwords present.
Script:
Nastaʻlīq ; exquisite hand in a thin to medium line ; serifless with effect of inclination to the right, words descending to baseline, elongation and slight contrast in thickness of horizontal strokes, pointing mainly in distinct dots.
Decoration:
Exquisite double-page illumination at opening consisting of large rectangular panels each divided to central rectangular panel carrying opening text set off by cloud-bands (in gold with delicate floral motifs in blue), flanking vertical panels filled with delicate arabesques in red, black, gold, lavender, yellow, etc. on fields of blue set in lozenges defined by narrow white bands, and upper and lower rectangular panels with gold lozenges carrying verses ("خوشتر از كتاب در جهان يارى نيست در غمكده زمانه غمخوارى نيست هر لحظه از او بگوشه تنهائى صد راحتى است هرگز آزادى نيست") in white surrounded by rich, swirling arabesques with floral accents in gold, white, pink, lavender, etc. on fields of gold and blue set off by looping bands in white ; elswhere throughout, written area surrounded by a gold frame with outermost blue rule ; section headings set off in splendid rectangular headpieces (ʻunwān / sarlawḥ) carrying headings in white.
Support:
non-European (likely Persian) laid paper ; written area later mounted in borders of tinted (in varying shades of blue, lavender, etc.) and gold-flecked wove paper with almond shaped embossed watermark ("... SMYRNA [SMYRNA]" see fol.7, 9, etc. compare embossed watermark in paper of Isl. Ms. 10, copied in Kharparūt [i.e. Harput, Խարբերդ, Kharberd, etc. now Elazığ] in 1853) ; some breakthrough at frames.
Binding:
Semi-limp boards faced in dull red leather with dark green leather over spine and edges / turn-ins (leather faced and edged framed binding) ; Type III binding (without flap) ; doublures in dull green-brown leather ; doublure hinges in same dark green leather ; upper and lower covers carry traces of stained blue border defining a central rectangular panel ; now sewn in cream thread over two cords (quite wide, not recessed, flexible sewing, apparent as ridges on spine), other sewing holes visible ; overall in fair condition with staining, abrasion, etc. ; framing may constitute a repair.
Origin:
As appears in colophon, copied by Sulṭān Ḥusayn ibn Jamshīd with transcription completed in Ramaḍān 953 [October-November 1546]. Mounting carried out much later ; paper with embossed watermark suggests 19th century.
Ownership and History:
Inscription in pencil on verso of opening leaf "186 T. D. M. [i.e. Tammaro De Marinis]" ; note what may be the age of the book on verso of final leaf ; possible effaced former owner's mark below colophon ; otherwise clean copy.
Contributor(s) / Included work(s):
Unidentified-Can you help supply this information? Please comment!
Posted by evyn on March 8, 2010
Tags: Abdul Hamid Collection, Fully Catalogued, Persian MSS
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