Page of Calligraphy with Illuminated Borders. 1894. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper. Gift of Edna Hadley Collection. 1968.31.

height: 12 3/4 in, 32.385 cm; width: 7 7/8 in, 20.0025 cm; mat height: 20 1/8 in, 51.1175 cm; mat width: 16 in, 40.64 cm

Black character text at center on blue shield CB; Calligraphy by Imad ul Husaini, border signed by Khoudes Ahmad. See image in media tab for more detailed inscription.

Arts of Asia

Arts of Asia

Leaf from The Rose and the Nightingale Calligraphy by Imad ul-Husaini, Border by Khoudes Ahmad Iran, Mashad, Shrine of Imam Reza late 1800s, Qajar period Ink and colors on paper Gift of the Edna Hadley Collection 1968.31 This page of Farsi calligraphy is written in fine nasta’liq script and signed by the calligrapher Imad al-Husaini. The inscription in the center of the lower border indicates that this work was commissioned by the Governor of Khurasan and Sistan for the shrine of Imam Rida, for which he served as trustee. The border is in the ornate Qajar period style with roses and nightingales in the decoration.