Description:

A BLUE ILLUMINATED CALLIGRAPHIC ALBUM PAGE, SAFAVID, PERSIA, 16TH CENTURY, 

Persian manuscript on paper laid down on card, three quatrains written diagonally in gold in nasta'liq script, each quatrain in a separate panel divided by further text written horizontally, margins ruled in gold, illuminated cornerpieces, gold-sprinkled outer borders in dark and lighter blue, With three quatrains in nasta'liq script,

album page 246 x 160 mm.

Footnotes
The Persian text incorporates parts of a ghazal of Hafiz and may copy a passage from his Divan.

Provenance: Bonhams Islamic and Indian Art 18/10/16 lot 14

Description:
Ink, gold, and gouache on paper laid on card; this exquisite calligraphic page features three diagonally written quatrains in shimmering gold nastaʿlīq script, elegantly set within separate compartments divided by horizontal verses. The corners are richly adorned with floral illuminated cartouches, while the whole composition is set within a vibrant turquoise field splashed with gold, framed by deep blue, gold, and white ruled borders. The layout and ornamentation reflect classical Safavid taste and courtly refinement.

Dimensions:
246 x 160 mm (album page)

Text:
The poetry includes verses attributed to Ḥāfiẓ of Shiraz, likely excerpted from his Dīvān, invoking themes of divine love, mystical longing, and transient beauty—staples of Persian lyrical tradition.

Comparable examples:

  • A similarly composed Safavid calligraphic album page, dated to the 16th century and attributed to the style of Mir 'Ali Heravi, sold for £8,125 at Bonhams, London, Islamic and Indian Art, 29 April 2021, Lot 12.

  • A page with nastaʿlīq poetry in gold on blue with gold-sprinkled margins, sold for £10,625 at Sotheby’s, Arts of the Islamic World, 25 October 2017, Lot 31.

  • A comparable illuminated album page, featuring poetry of Hafiz in gold on blue with a similar layout, fetched £9,000 at Christie’s, London, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 27 April 2023, Lot 42.

Note:
Pages such as this were typically compiled into muraqqaʿ (album) formats for elite collectors and patrons. They often showcased the virtuosity of a calligrapher as much as the sophistication of courtly design. This example—with its subtle palette, classical layout, and poetic content—is emblematic of the Safavid golden age of book arts

 

Accepted Forms of Payment:

MasterCard, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We have our own specialist packing and international shipping service and are happy to arrange this for you, we will add a postage and packing quote to your sales invoice. We also offer a door to door courier service to take the stress out of receiving delicate or expensive items.

If you are arranging your own professional delivery, please ensure that the lot has been paid for and the transport company has full details of the items being collected and an appointment has been booked. We work strictly on an appointment basis for dispatching goods.

If you choose to use our services we will ensure goods that have left the auction premises are in perfect condition, by choosing our in house professional packaging services you agree to our terms and conditions and do not hold us accountable for any damages or loss of items in transit. You will be provided with a tracking number and all our packages sent out will require a signature upon delivery. We do not insure goods dispatched unless asked to do so, which will incur additional charges added to your invoice upon request.

We thank you for using our specialist packing & shipping service and hope to continue to do business with you in the near future.

May 6, 2025 1:00 PM BST
London, United Kingdom

PLAKAS

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 29% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
£0 £99 £5
£100 £199 £10
£200 £499 £20
£500 £999 £50
£1,000 £1,999 £100
£2,000 £4,999 £200
£5,000 £9,999 £500
£10,000 £19,999 £1,000
£20,000 £49,999 £2,000
£50,000 £99,999 £5,000
£100,000 £199,999 £10,000
£200,000 £499,999 £20,000
£500,000 £999,999 £50,000
£1,000,000 + £100,000