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Five Poems (Quintet)
(Manuscripts and Rare Books, Islamic World , Islamic Manuscripts)
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.
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
| 1998 | Mything Persons: Historic Figures in Legends of East and West. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1997 | The Divine Word and Sacred Sites of Islam. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1984-1985 | Illuminated Manuscripts: Masterpieces in Miniature. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Geographies
Iran (Place of Origin)
Measurements
Folio H: 11 5/8 x W: 6 11/16 in. (29.5 x 17 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.606
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