TWO MASHQ CALLIGRAPHIC PANELS
Qajar Iran, second half 19th century

Persian calligraphy on paper, comprising a presentation folio of dense black ink mashq in pseudo-chalipa format of overlapping diagonal lines, diacritics and dots absent, the text margins reserved in gold cloud-bands, the ground with fine gold scrolling floral illumination, the page sprinkled in gold, inscribed 1303 AH (1885 - 1886 AD), set within gold and black rules, and decorative paper border, laid on card, the text panel 20.6cm x 14.2cm, 31.8cm x 20.9cm including the mount; and another similar, in sepia ink, the text arranged in two directional formats, set within polychrome marbled paper border, in a pale khaki mount, the text panel 8.1cm x 20.2cm, 24.7cm x 37.7cm including the mount.