Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami, 1510
Shiraz, Iran
Leather binding, tooled and gilded; 11 1/2 x 7 in. (29.2 x 17.8 cm)
Gift of Alexander Smith Cochran, 1913 (13.228.6)
Shiraz, Iran
Leather binding, tooled and gilded; 11 1/2 x 7 in. (29.2 x 17.8 cm)
Gift of Alexander Smith Cochran, 1913 (13.228.6)
Manuscripts from the Safavid capital, such as this copy of Nizami's Khamsa, are notable for their high-quality illustrations and bindings. Characteristic of Persian doublures of this period is the contrasting colors of this example: the burgundy of the leather, the blue of the center and corner-pieces, and the gold gilding. Venetian Renaissance gilded leather bindings were particularly influenced by Safavid and Ottoman examples.
















