Summary:
Exquisite copy of a Persian Dīvān with qaṣāʼid and ghazalīyāt of uncertain authorship, possibly of Aşkî (fl.1571) translator of ʻAyn al-Quḍāh al-Hamadānī's "Kanz al-ḥaqʼāq" (per the translator's preface) and Farīd al-Dīn ʻAttār's Mukhtārnāmah (see p.205 in Türk dili ve edebiyatı ansiklopedisi (1977), v.1 ; p.18 in Osmanlı müellifleri (1972), v.2 and p.248 in Fihris al-makhṭūṭāt al-Turkīyah al-ʻUthmānīyah allatī iqtanatʹhā Dār al-Kutub al-Qawmīyah mundhu ʻām 1870 ḥattá nihāyat 1980, v.1).
Physical Details:
Collation:
iv (i is pastedown), 2 III(12), 4 IV(44), 2 III(56), IV (64), 2 II(72), 7 IV(128), III (134), III-2 (138), iv (iv is pastedown) ; chiefly quaternions ; middle of the quire marks in the form of oblique strokes in black ink in opposite outer corners ; p.103 between qaṣāʼid (close on p.102) and ghazalīyāt (opening p.104) left blank ; catchwords present ; pagination in pencil, Western numerals, supplied during digitization (includes flyleaves).
Script:
Nastaʻlīq (talik) ; elegant hand in a medium line ; serifless, with dramatic effect of words descending to baseline, mainly closed counters, and elongated horizontal strokes.
Decoration:
Splendid illuminated headpiece (ʻunwān / sarlawḥ) at opening on p.8 consisting of rectangular piece with gold cartouche carrying the title "ديوان عشقى" in white flanked by floral accents in gold, turquoise, white, etc. on a lapis lazuli ground, surmounted by scalloped w-shaped piece filled with swirling arabesques and floral motifs in gold, turquoise, white, etc. on grounds of black and lapis lazuli, entire piece set in a well of gold, turquoise and lapis bands and surmounted by vertical stalks (tīgh) in blue ; margins of incipit and facing page filled with floral designs in gold ; similar though somewhat smaller illuminated headpiece with heading "غزليات" in white and marginal designs at opening of ghazalīyāt on p.104 ; written area throughout surrounded by a frame consisting of a gold band defined by black fillets with outermost blue rule, divisions within defined by narrow gold bands outlined in black fillets ; keywords and headings chrysographed.
Support:
non-European laid paper with 6-7 laid lines per cm. (vertical) and chain lines (horizontal) seemingly grouped in threes with 14-15 mm. between chains and 53 mm. between groups, most leaves tinted salmon (ornage-pink), sturdy and well-burnished ; flyleaves in European laid paper with fleur de lis in shield / arms with crown above ; staining and minor pest damage.
Binding:
Boards covered in light brown leather ; Western style binding ; pastedowns and flyleaves in untinted laid paper ; upper and lower covers carry border in blind rules ; five raised bands on spine ; sewn in cream thread, four stations, over cords ; green silk bookmark (register) attached to spine at head ; overall in fair condition with some abrasion, staining, lifting and losses of spine leather (split), etc.
Origin:
Lacks dated colophon ; paper, decoration, etc. would suggest late 16th or early 17th century.
Ownership and History:
Ex libris / bookplate affixed to upper pastedown (medallion with shield per pale and encircling inscription dated MDCCCLXXX [?], i.e. 1880 [?]) accompanied by effaced inscription (likely signature) ; large oval seal impression (in blue ink) and inscriptions partially visible under leaf which has been affixed to 'title page' (recto of leaf carrying incipit page) ; occasional marginal corrections.
Contributor(s) / Included work(s):
Unidentified-Can you help supply this information? Please comment!
References:
Türk dili ve edebiyatı ansiklopedisi (1977),v.1, p.205Bursalı Mehmet Tahir. Osmanlı müellifleri (1972),v.2, p.18Fihris al-makhṭūṭāt al-Turkīyah al-ʻUthmānīyah allatī iqtanatʹhā Dār al-Kutub al-Qawmīyah mundhu ʻām 1870 ḥattá nihāyat 1980,v.1, p.248, no.953
Posted by evyn on October 27, 2010
Tags: Fully Catalogued, Persian MSS
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