Five Poems (Quintet)

Description Walters manuscript W.606 is an illuminated and illustrated Khamsah (quintet) by Nizami Ganjavi (died 605 AH/AD 1209), copied by Muhammad Musá al-Mudhahhib ('the Limner') in Safavid Iran in 924 AH/AD 1518. The manuscript opens with a double-page illustration (fols. 1b-2a), which is followed by a double-page illumination (fols. 2b-3a). In total, there are six Arabic colophons, one at the end of each of the first four poems and two for the two parts of the final poem (Kitab-i Sharafnamah-i Iskandari and Kitab-i Iqbalnamah). The dates of these colophons indicate that the various poems were not executed consecutively. The writing of the text extended over a period of approximately three months, 6 Dhu al-Hijjah 923 AH/AD 1517 to 7 Rabi' I 924 AH/AD 1518. The text is written in black Nasta'liq script with blue subject/section headings. In addition to illuminated titlepieces and headpieces, there are 26 illustrations. The binding is not original to the manuscript.

Exhibitions

• Illuminated Manuscripts: Masterpieces in Miniature. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1984-1985.
• The Divine Word and Sacred Sites of Islam. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1997.
• Mything Persons: Historic Figures in Legends of East and West. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1998.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters