Notebook of Calligraphy

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This oblong manuscript bound on the short side is referred to as a safina (the Arabic and Persian word for ship). It is an anthology of love poetry in shikasta (broken) script in which the verses are set into cloud-shaped cartouches and set against a background of shimmering gold. Poetic anthologies in this format demonstrate the continuation of a literary tradition that originated in Iran and Central Asia in the 15th century and proliferated from the 16th century onward.

Notebook of Calligraphy, Ink and gold on paper with embossed leather cover

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