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Collection of Poems (divan)
(Manuscripts and Rare Books, Islamic World , Islamic Manuscripts)
Walters manuscript W.631 is an illuminated and illustrated copy of the collection of poems (divan) by Shams al-Din Muhammad Hafiz al-Shirazi (flourished 8th century AH/AD 14th). The text is written in Nasta"liq script and is dated to the end of Safar 946 AH/AD 1539. The manuscript opens with a double-page illustrated frontispiece of an enthroned King Solomon (Sulayman) and Queen Sheba (Bilqis) (fols. 2b-3a), followed by an illuminated incipit with titlepiece inscribed Divan-i Hafiz. There are two additional illustrations of figures conversing and drinking in outdoor landscapes (fols. 114a and 150b). The dark brown leather binding, which is original to the manuscript, is panel-stamped in relief with a central lobed medallion with pendants and an allover floral and vine decoration.
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.
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Geographies
Iran (Place of Origin)
Measurements
Folio H: 8 11/16 x W: 5 1/8 in. (22 x 13 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.631
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Related Objects
Left Side of a Double-page Illustrated Frontispiece Depicting Queen Sheba (Bilqis) Enthroned
