Page of Calligraphy

Calligrapher Muhammad Isma'il ibn al Vesal Iranian

dated 1280 AH/1863 CE

Not on view

This composition consists of pairs of short diagonal lines of text forming a chevron pattern in black, red and blue ink. The contents include verses from Rumi’s Mathnavi and invocations to ʿAli (the first Shi’ite Imam). According to an inscription, the folio was intended as a presentation piece from the calligrapher to a "real friend." Written in ghubar (dust-like script), the page is by Muhammad Isma’il known as Tawhid, the fifth son of the renowned calligrapher and poet Muhammad Shafiʿ Vesal (see 1979.518.6). He was reportedly a jewelry designer and a poet and had the unique ability to copy Qur’anic and literary verses in minute proportions.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Page of Calligraphy
Calligrapher: Muhammad Isma'il ibn al Vesal (Iranian, 1831–70)
Date: dated 1280 AH/1863 CE
Geography: Attributed to Iran
Medium: Ink and opaque watercolor on paper
Dimensions: H. 8 7/8 in. (22.5 cm)
W. 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm)
Classification: Codices
Credit Line: Gift of Charles K. Wilkinson, 1979
Object Number: 1979.518.7
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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