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Illuminated folio from an unidentified manuscript

This page features a shamsa (sun), an illuminated medallion in which the title of a book or chapter was often inscribed. This shamsa is composed of abstract and floral forms in gold and blue surrounding a plain gold circular center, which has been repainted. An underlying inscription is detectable via X-ray, but unfortunately only one word can be read: as?abi (lords or possessors). Repainting aside, the shamsa is executed with delicate brushwork and careful attention to detail. Balanced and symmetrical in composition and palette, it compares well with other illumination produced in Central Asia and Iran during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art Stanford and Norma Jean Calderwood Belmont MA (by 1998-2002) gift; to Harvard Art Museums 2002. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum The Norma Jean Calderwood Collection of Islamic Art

16th century Safavid period

Persian

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Title: Illuminated folio from an unidentified manuscript

Description:

This page features a shamsa (sun), an illuminated medallion in which the title of a book or chapter was often inscribed.

This shamsa is composed of abstract and floral forms in gold and blue surrounding a plain gold circular center, which has been repainted.

An underlying inscription is detectable via X-ray, but unfortunately only one word can be read: as?abi (lords or possessors).

Repainting aside, the shamsa is executed with delicate brushwork and careful attention to detail.

Balanced and symmetrical in composition and palette, it compares well with other illumination produced in Central Asia and Iran during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

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