Illustrated Manuscript of the Gulistān (Rose Garden) by Sa`di
late 19th century
Description
The manuscript opens with a richly illuminated heading and margins. The text is copied in nasta`liq by Fathallah, also known as Jalal, for Aqa Mirza Mahdi Khan kalantar, ra’is dar of Isfahan. Most of the fourteen paintings are signed “Ibrahim” in red ink. The back of the folios with paintings are decorated with a large diamond shaped medallion in different colors. The binding is decorated with center and corner pieces decorated with filigree leather. The horizontal pendants have the name of the poet Jami. The doublures are decorated with center pieces with pendants.
Dimensions
22.8 x 15 cm (9 x 5 7/8 in.)
Provenance
Ezzat-Malek Soudavar, Geneva, Switzerland (by 2014), by descent; to her son Abolala Soudavar, Houston, Texas (2014), loan; to Harvard Art Museums, 2015. Note: Ezzat-Malek Soudavar (1913-2014) formed this collection over a period of sixty years. She purchased the works of art on the international art market.
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