TWO PANELS OF SHIKASTEH NASTA’LIQ CALLIGRAPHY
Qajar Iran, 19th century

Persian manuscripts on paper, comprising a panel of Persian poetry and prose featuring Sa’di’s discourse with an opponent regarding the pros and cons of wealth and poverty, extracted from Daftar 7 of the Gulistan, the diagonal text reserved against gold cloud-bands, laid on pale peach pink paper, set within black and pink rules, dated the eve of 12 Rabi’ ul-Awwal 1310 AH ( 4 October 1892 AD), signed Ahmad bin Mo’tamed ul-Saltana, mounted, framed and glazed, the text panel 30.5cm x 18cm, 46.2cm x 32.3cm including the frame; and a presentation practice panel, possibly a scribe’s sampler, the fine text featuring stock phrases, prayers, and Qur’an passages in varying directions, reserved against gold cloud-bands, small areas of fine gold illumination, mounted, framed and glazed, the text panel 30cm x 15cm, 46cm x 31cm including the frame.