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Collection of Poems (masnavi)
(Manuscripts and Rare Books, Islamic World , Islamic Manuscripts)
Walters manuscript W.625 is an illuminated copy of the collection of poems known as Masnavi-i ma'navi by Jalal al-Din Rumi (died 672 AH/AD 1273), likely produced in Timurid Iran. The Masnavi-i ma'navi, which is a didactic poetical work divided into 6 books or booklets (daftars), is of particular importance in the tradition of Sufism. According to the colophon, written in Arabic, this copy was completed in 865 AH/AD 1461 by Ahmad ibn Hajji Abi Bakr al-Katib (fol. 311a). Each of the 6 books is introduced by a preface in Arabic or Persian, executed largely in gold Tawqi' script (fols. 1b-2a, 51b-52a, 95b-96a, 155b-156a, 203b-204a, and 256b-257a). The text proper is written in black Nasta'liq script, with illuminated titlepieces inscribed in a decorated New Abbasid (Broken Cursive) Style (fols. 2b, 52b, 96b, 156b, 204b, and 257b). The dark red leather binding is not original to the manuscript and dates to the 13th century AH/AD 19th.
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: 9 5/8 x W: 6 5/16 in. (24.5 x 16 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.625
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Related Objects
Incipit with Illuminated Titlepiece Introducing the Sixth Book of the Collection of Poems (masnavi)
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Illuminated Preface to the First Book of the Collection of Poems (masnavi)
Illuminated Preface to the First Book of the Collection of Poems (masnavi)
Illuminated Preface to the Fourth Book of the Collection of Poems (masnavi).
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Incipit with Illuminated Titlepiece Introducing the Second Book of the Collection of Poems (masnavi)
Illuminated Preface to the Second Book of the Collection of Poems (masnavi)
