GOLSHAN-E RAAZ BY SHEYKH MAHMOUD SHABESTARI AND TWO OTHER MANUSCRIPTS
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Iran, 19th century

Comprising a Golshan-e Raaz, Persian manuscript on paper, 48ff., each folio with 11ll. of shikasteh nasta’liq script arranged in two columns, the opening bifolio with delicate cloudbands surrounding the text, catchwords, signed Mahmoud Kordan, set in a fine lacquer binding, the outer covers with a floral arrangement of roses, tulips, irises, and pink flowers against a dark brown ground, the interiors with scrolling gold floral motifs against a red ground, 10.3cm x 7cm; a Siraj al Munir, Persian manuscript on paper, 75ff. plus six fly leaves, each folio with 10ll. of black ink shikashteh nasta’liq script, the opening folio with gold and polychrome floral illumination, chapter headings in red, within red, gold and blue rules, catchwords, set in a pine green tooled calf binding, the opening end paper in red with gold stamped borders, the text panel 11.5cm x 6cm, the folio 17cm x 11cm; and an Adab al Mashq by Mir Emad Qazwini, a compendium of calligraphy, Persian manuscript on alternating pale green and lavender tinted paper, 15ff. plus two fly leaves, each folio with 7ll. of shikasteh nasta’liq script, the text embellished with gold sprigs separating the lines, catchwords, within red, gold, and blue rules, dated 12 Jamadi ul thani 1308 AH (January 1891), in a soft red leather binding, the text panel 14cm x 8cm, the folio 20cm x 12.5cm.