Page of Calligraphy from an Anthology of Poetry by Sa`di and Hafiz

Sa'di

This folio, copied by Sultan 'Ali Mashhadi—a renowned master of nasta'liq script—once formed part of an anthology of Persian poetry including selections from the works of Sa'di and Hafiz. It was common practice for valuable manuscripts to be remounted within new margins whether for aesthetic or conservation reasons. The folios of this highly treasured fifteenth‑century manuscript were remounted in the sixteenth century within colorful margin papers beautifully painted with diverse scenes in silver and gold.