The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 25, 2024

Illuminated folio (verso) from a Gulistan (Rose Garden) of Sa'di (c. 1213–1291)

Illuminated folio (verso) from a Gulistan (Rose Garden) of Sa'di (c. 1213–1291)

calligraphy: c. 1475–1500; border: c. 1550
(Iranian, 1430–1520)
Iran
Gum tempera, ink, gold, and silver on paper
Overall: 30 x 19 cm (11 13/16 x 7 1/2 in.); Text area: 16.3 x 9.8 cm (6 7/16 x 3 7/8 in.)
Gift of William Kelly Simpson in memory of his wife Marilyn M. Simpson and her grandparents Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. 2006.147.b
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

Meaning “rose bush” in Persian, the Gulistan is a collection of anecdotes in both verse and prose.

Description

The border scene is set in a magical forest bursting with blossoms. At the top, a winged lion chases a winged deer, who is caught in the bottom border. The imagery of a lion biting down on its prey dates from the Achaemenid period in Iran (550–330 BCE) and references the valor of the king. A fox scurries off to the right.

The verse is written in the Persian language using nastaliq script. Sultan ‘Ali Mashadi was widely renowned for perfecting the nastaliq script, and his calligraphy was a model for many followers across the Islamic world.
  • ?–2006
    William Kelly Simpson [1928–2017], Katonah, NY, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2006–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • {{cite web|title=Illuminated folio (verso) from a Gulistan (Rose Garden) of Sa'di (c. 1213–1291)|url=false|author=Sultan 'Ali al-Mashadi|year=calligraphy: c. 1475–1500; border: c. 1550|access-date=25 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2006.147.b