An Illuminated Manuscript of Poetry in Nasta'liq

16th century

Not on view

The motifs found in the stunning margins of this manuscript were created using techniques such as découpage and stencil, quite unusual in the Safavid book arts. These were drawn from an array of visual sources including other lavishly embellished manuscripts and albums as well as carpet designs and tilework. The variety is remarkable. The shimmering effect of the sprinkled gold leaf both adds to their flamboyance and unifies the 17 folios of the manuscript.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: An Illuminated Manuscript of Poetry in Nasta'liq
Date: 16th century
Geography: Made in Iran or Central Asia
Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper; leather binding
Dimensions: H. 10 3/16 in. (25.9 cm)
W. 6 1/8 in. (15.5 cm)
Classification: Codices
Credit Line: Purchase, 2017 and 2018 NoRuz at The Met Benefits, 2025
Object Number: 2025.98
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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