AN ILLUMINATED QAJAR CALLIGRAPHY, DATED 1327 AH/1909 AD

Ink, gouache and gold on paper, laid down on album page, Arabic and Persian manuscript reserved in a large cloud on a cream-colored ground. In large brown nastaliq script ‘Nad-e ‘Ali’, typically used by Shia Muslims to seek ‘Ali’s help and support in times of stress and sorrow, further stylized with gilt flower heads and containing cartouches enclosing the date: Rajab in 1327 AH by Muhamed Jawad Zarren Qalam. Ruled in gilt and brown border decorated with gilt scrolling vine issuing flower heads with traces of gilding to the outer blue border. Text panel: 23 by 35 cm. Folio: 39 by 46 cm.