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Poem (Masnavi)
(Manuscripts and Rare Books, Islamic World , Islamic Manuscripts)
Walters manuscript W.656 is an illuminated and illustrated Safavid copy of a mystic poem (masnavi) entitled Sifat al-'ashiqin (Qualities of lovers) by Nur al-Din Hilali (died 936 AH/AD 1529-1530). It was written in Nasta'liq script by Mu'izz al-Din Muhammad al-Husayni in 978 AH/AD 1570-1571. The manuscript opens with a double-page illustrated frontispiece (fols. 1b-2a), followed by a double-page illuminated incipit (fols. 2b-3a). Borders throughout the codex are illuminated with floral and bird motifs. The lacquer binding is 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.
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Geographies
Iran (Place of Origin)
Measurements
Folio H: 10 1/16 x W: 5 7/8 in. (25.5 x 15 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.656