Pages of Calligraphy from a Sharafnama (Book of Honour) of Nizami of Ganja
ca. 1620–30
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Dimensions
H. 12 1/16 in. (30.6 cm) W. 7 1/2 in. (19 cm)
Classification
Codices
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Jeffrey Kossak, The Kronos Collections, 1986
Accession Number
1986.500.2a–h
Tags
Art Historical Context
These exquisite pages of calligraphy hail from a *Sharafnama* (Book of Honour), aegyric poem by the renowned 12th-century Persian poetizami of Ganja, celebrating the virtues of a noble patron. Crafted around 1620–30 during the Safavid era in Iran, this manuscript reflects the pinnacle of Islamic literary and artistic traditions. Nizami's poetry, known for its lyrical depth and moral insights, was a cornerstone of Persian culture, often copied and illuminated in luxurious codices like this one to honor rulers and scholars. The medium—ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper—showcases masterfu...