Album Page with Calligraphy Exercise (siyah mashq) by Muhammad Shah Qajar (3rd Ruler of the Qajar Dynasty)

Calligrapher Muhammad Shah Iranian

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This album page features a compositional siyah mashq, or calligraphy practice sheet, in nasta’liq script, whereby the calligrapher Muhammad Shah Qajar (third ruler of the Qajar dynasty r. 1834–1848), repeats letters, words, or combinations of words using verses from the Shahnama as a point of departure. It comes from a royal album of calligraphies. According to an inscription on the top right-hand corner, the page was dedicated to the Shah’s wife Khadija Khanum (mother of ʿAbbas Mirza, the vice-regent na’ib al-saltana). It is dated Shawwal 1260/October 1844. An inscription in a cartouche on the top of the maroon border reads: "by the hand of the Shahanshah of Iran, Muhammad Shah Ghazi."

Album Page with Calligraphy Exercise (siyah mashq) by Muhammad Shah Qajar (3rd Ruler of the Qajar Dynasty), Muhammad Shah (Iranian, 3rd Qajar ruler (r. 1834–48)), Ink, gold, and opaque watercolor on paper

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Album Page with Calligraphy Exercise (siyah mashq) by Muhammad Shah Qajar (3rd Ruler of the Qajar Dynasty), Muhammad Shah (Iranian, 3rd Qajar ruler (r. 1834–48)), Ink, gold, and opaque watercolor on paper
Album Page with Calligraphy Exercise (siyah mashq) by Muhammad Shah Qajar (3rd Ruler of the Qajar Dynasty), Muhammad Shah (Iranian, 3rd Qajar ruler (r. 1834–48)), Ink, gold, and opaque watercolor on paper

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