Calligraphy in Arabic and Persian, folio from an album for Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah

Hajji `Abdullah

Calligraphy in Arabic and Persian, folio from an album for Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. This folio was once part of a calligraphic poetry album, produced for Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, who ruled the Deccani sultanate of Golconda. Some of the sultan's own poetry (beautifully written out by his court calligraphers) is included in the compilation, as well as older examples of fine calligraphy from Iran, and a tinted drawing. There are at least fifteen known folios from this album, which was re-bordered at a late date. Album-page, ink, gold and colours on paper, mounted on card, two Persian lines praising a king, unsigned (recto), and Arabic lines praising the Prophet Muhammad and Imam `Ali, signed Hajji `Abdullah, Hyderabad, dateable after 1591 (verso), folio from an album compiled for Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (r. 1580-1612), Golconda and Hyderabad, Deccan, India, c. 1590-1605.