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Collection of Poems (Divan)
(Manuscripts and Rare Books, Islamic World , Islamic Manuscripts)
Walters manuscript W.640 is an illuminated and illustrated Safavid copy of the first collection of poetry (Divan-i avval or Fatihat al-shabab) by Nur al-Din Jami (died 898 AH/AD 1492). According to the colophon, is was copied by the illustrious Safavid calligrapher Shah Mahmud Nishapuri (died 972 AH/AD 1564-1565) (fol. 306a). The codex opens with a double-page illustrated frontispiece (fols. 1b-2a), which is followed by a double-page illuminated incipit (fols. 2b-3a). There are10 additional paintings that appear to date later than the text itself. These paintings are in the style of Isfahan in the 11th century AH/AD 17th. The textblock, which has been trimmed, is bound in lacquer boards decorated with hunting scenes and landscape motifs. The binding was also executed in Iran and is attributable to the late 10th century AH/AD 16th or 11th century AH/AD 17th. There are several erased seals and one ownership statement on fol. 1a, and a seal impression naming Muhammad Amin is found on fol. 3a.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
Muhammad Amin [date and mode of acquisition unknown] [seal impression with the name Muhammad Amin on fol. 3a]; Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 1988 | Bindings from the Islamic World. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1984-1985 | Illuminated Manuscripts: Masterpieces in Miniature. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1977-1978 | Splendor in Books. Grolier Club, New York; The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1962 | The Book of Persia and India. Grolier Club, New York. |
Geographies
Iran (Place of Origin)
Measurements
Folio H: 10 5/8 x W: 6 1/2 in. (27 x 16.5 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.640