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

Hajji `Abdullah

Calligraphy in Arabic, 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 gold-painted blue card, Arabic lines praising the Prophet's birthday, signed Hajji `Abdullah, Hyderabad, dateable after 1591 (recto), and Arabic lines quoting the Hadith, decoupé red calligraphy signed Murad Dhu'l-Qadr, Golconda, with additional inscription dated Ramadan 992H, December 1584, (verso), folio from an album compiled for Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (r. 1580-1612), Golconda and Hyderabad, Deccan, India, c. 1590-1605.