Subject Headings - Calligraphy, Arabic - Calligraphy, Persian - Manuscripts, Persian--Washington (D.C.) - India - Arabic script calligraphy - Illuminated Islamic manuscripts - Islamic calligraphy - Islamic manuscripts - Nasta'liq Notes - Opening page of Sa'di's "Bustan" (The Orchard). From India written in the Nasta'liq script by 'Abd al-Rashid Daylami at the Mughal court for Shah Jahan (r. 1627-1656). Either Agra and Delhi. - As in this case, the first page of a Persian poetical text is easily recognizable, as it is provided with an ornamental panel at the top (sarloh) and the main text usually is decorated by cloud band motifs and decorative illumination between the text and in the gutter separating each verse of poetry. The top frieze contains three yellow flowers -- perhaps intended to represent blooming saffron flowers (although the petals of saffron flowers tend to be of a light purple color) -- as well as a blue horizontal band decorated with a gold leaf and flower motifs. The yellow-orange flower reappears on an otherwise unrelated calligraphic fragment in the Library of Congress (see 1-88-154.41 V). - As in this case, the second page of a Persian poetical text is easily recognizable, as its main text usually is decorated by cloud band motifs and decorative illumination. This follows the pattern established by the first page of text, which is provided with an ornamental panel at the top (sarloh) and also decorated with illumination (see 1-04-713.19.26). Both initial pages also have a central gutter dividing the verses of poetry painted in blue and decorated with interlacing orange, gold, and yellow flowers. - Grace and Liberality Diffusing, and Work Executing / Because He (God) is the Possessor of Creation and Knower of Secrets / Grandeur and Pride are proper for Him, / Whose kingdom is ancient, and nature independent. - He places the crown of fortune on the head of one, / He brings another from a throne to the dust. / This one (has) the cap of Good Fortune on his head, / That one the blanket of Misfortune on his body. - In the name of the Lord, Life-Creating, / The Wise One, Speech-Creating with the Tongue, / The Lord, the Giver, the Hand-Seizing, / Merciful, Sin-Forgiving, Excuse-Accepting. - Page 1: 1-04-713.19.26, Page 2: 1-04-713.19.15, Page 3: 1-04-713.19.14, Page 4: 1-04-713.19.12, Page 5: 1-04-713.19.13, Page 6: 1-04-713.19.11, Page 7: 1-04-713.19.25 - Page 1: Shaykh Sa'di (d. 691/1292) composed his famous and beloved Bustan in 1256-7. It contains histories, personal anecdotes, fables and moral instructions. The first page provides a praise of God as an appropriate incipit to the text. The first two lines read: - Page 2: The first few pages of text provide a praise of God. On this page, the last two lines read: - Page 3: The text here, as in the rest of the pages, provides a praise of God as an appropriate incipit to the text. The first two lines of poetry speak about God's decision to favor certain men: - These calligraphic fragments are the first seven pages of Sa'di's Bustan (The Fruit Garden or The Orchard). The order of the first seven pages of this work all belonging to the same manuscript goes as follows: - This copy of the Bustan may have been produced in India during the 17th century. The back of the second page (1-04-713.19.15) of this series includes a note supporting this provenance, as it states that the work was written by 'Abd al-Rashid Daylami. He was one of the famous calligraphers active at the court of the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan (r. 1627-1656) in Agra and Delhi. - Script: nasta'liq - 1-04-713.19.26 Medium 1 volume ; 21.1 (w) x 33.4 (h) cm Repository Library of Congress African and Middle Eastern Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA Digital Id https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.amed/ascs.009 Library of Congress Control Number 2019714531 Online Format image LCCN Permalink https://lccn.loc.gov/2019714531 Additional Metadata Formats MARCXML Record MODS Record Dublin Core Record