Persian manuscript on paper, verso with 4 lines of elegant black nastaliq in clouds reserved against a hatched ground decorated with meandering floral vine, lower left corner signed Shah Mahmud al-Nishapuri, of black nastaliq below, a line of of large gold-speckled black thuluth in a cloud reserved against a gold and polychrome illuminated ground to the left, gold-speckled margins; recto with a line of large black thuluth in a cloud reserved against a hatched ground, flanked above and below by a line of gold-speckled black nastaliq in clouds reserved against a gold and polychrome illuminated ground, each corner with a gold and polychrome illuminated panel, gold speckled margins, minor smudges and light creases. Text: 19 by 11.5 cm. Folio: 19 by 30 cm. CATALOGUE NOTE Shah Mahmud al-Nishapuri (d.1564) (also known as Zarrin Qalam, 'golden pen') is thought to have been Shah Isma'il's (d.1524) favourite calligrapher. He was born in the city of Nishapur, Iran, and studied calligraphy under the supervision of Abdi al-Katib Nishapuri. He specialised in the style of nastaliq with the famous nastaliq master Sultan Ali Al-Mashhadi (d.1519). Shah Isma'il adored him so much that, on his campaign over Ottoman Sultan Selim I, he locked up Shah Mahmud and painter Behzad, fearing that they could be kidnapped by the Ottomans. On his return, the first thing he did was visit Shah Mahmud (see S. Rado, Turk Hattatlari, Istanbul, 1980, p.67). The famous Khamsa, produced for Shah Tahmasp (d.1576), illuminated by the famous court painter Behzad, was copied by Shah Mahmud. Celebrated as one of the greatest masters of nasta'liq script, Shah Mahmud's works have been collected by royal bibliophiles across the Muslim world. It has been noted that particularly members of the Ottoman elite adored him. A magnificent Quran manuscript by him, transcribed in nastaliq, can be found in the Topkapi Palace. See also Serin, Muhittin, Hat Sanatı ve Meshur Hattatlar, Kubbealti, Istanbul, 1999. Condition Report Condition reports and high resolution pictures are available on our website at www.orientalartauctions.com If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected]