Page of Calligraphy from a Kalila wa Dimna

second quarter 16th century

Not on view

This manuscript contains seventy-eight paintings and many text folios telling the famous tales of the jackals Kalila and Dimna. Based on the book of ancient Indian animal fables, the Panchatantra written by Vidyapati (Bidpai), the stories spread all over the Middle East where they became wildly popular. This manuscript has a strong flavor of Mamluk Egypt in the figure styles and bold drawings, with hints of Ottoman tulips and Safavid turbans. However, the burnt orange palette and darkly-inked lines have led to an attribution to Sultanate Gujarat where it is suggested this manuscript was copied from an Egyptian original. Its life in India is also attested by a Devanagari inscription at the end, although the rest of the Arabic text is written in a strong, left-leaning naskh-like script.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Page of Calligraphy from a Kalila wa Dimna
Date: second quarter 16th century
Geography: Attributed to India, Gujarat, probably based on an Egyptian original
Medium: Ink and opaque watercolor on paper
Dimensions: Overall:
H. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm)
W. 8 7/8 in. (22.6 cm)
Average text size:
H. 8 5/8 in. (21.9 cm)
W. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm)
Classification: Codices
Credit Line: The Alice and Nasli Heeramaneck Collection, Gift of Alice Heeramaneck, 1981
Object Number: 1981.373.88
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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