Creative Commons License
Marvels of the World
(Manuscripts and Rare Books, Islamic World , Islamic Manuscripts)
Walters manuscript W.652 is an abridged metrical paraphrase of the 2nd maqalah of 'Aja'ib al-makhluqat (The wonders of creation) by Zakariya' al-Qazwini (died 682 AH/AD 1283) with additions from other sources by Fakhr al-Din Hamzah ibn 'Ali Azari (died 866 AH/AD 1461-1462). The text was copied in Herat (in present-day Afghanistan) in 1022 AH/AD 1613 in the library of the governor of Khurasan Husayn Khan Shamlu-yi Biklirbiki (Beglerbegi). The manuscript is illustrated with 14 paintings in an early Safavid style from the 11th century AH/AD 17th. The present binding is not original to the manuscript.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Husayn, 1305 AH/AD 1887-1888, by purchase [for 310 tomans]; Asghar 'Ali, 1305 AH/AD 1887, 1888, by gift [acquired for Asghar 'Ali by his father Husayn for 310 tomans, dated 1305 AH/AD 1887-1888, see fol. 1b]; Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 2002 | The Book of Kings: Art, War, and the Morgan Library's Medieval Picture Bible. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; Academy Art Museum, Easton; Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton; The Mitchell Gallery, Annapolis; Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown. |
| 1987-1988 | Elephants. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1984-1985 | Illuminated Manuscripts: Masterpieces in Miniature. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1962 | The Book of Persia and India. Grolier Club, New York. |
Geographies
Afghanistan, Herat (Place of Origin)
Measurements
Folio H: 2 5/16 x W: 6 11/16 in. (5.8 x 17 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
W.652
