Creative Commons License
History of Nigaristan
(Manuscripts and Rare Books, Islamic World , Islamic Manuscripts)
Walters manuscript W.598 is an illuminated and illustrated Safavid copy of the History of Nigaristan (Iran), known as Kitab-i Nigaristan or Tarikh-i Nigaristan by Ahmad Ghaffari (died 975 AH/AD 1567-1568). The colophon indicates that it was completed on 5 Shawwal 976 AH/AD 1569. The manuscript opens with a double-page illuminated frontispiece, and there are 8 paintings illustrating the text in a style that has been associated with the school of painting at Shiraz. The dark brown/black leather binding, which is contemporary with the manuscript, has a large central panel with oval and pendants. The border is comprised of cartouches alternating with roundels. All are gold-brushed and decorated with floral and cloud motifs.
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.
Exhibitions
| 1987-1988 | Elephants. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1962 | The Book of Persia and India. Grolier Club, New York. |
Geographies
Iran (Place of Origin)
Measurements
Folio H: 12 3/16 x W: 7 1/16 in. (31 x 18 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.598