Recto: Nineteen lines of four columns of nasta'liq script in black ink, written on laid and polished paper. A beautiful chapter heading written in blue ink and interwoven with decorations of leaves in gold and orange & ochre rounds. The inner margins are ruled in gold within black, and the outer margins are in gold, black, blue and ochre.

Verso: As Recto, but without the chapter heading.

Condition: This leaf is in good condition, considering its age and the fragility of the paper. Damp staining is confined to the outer margins of the leaf, and is masked off. There are several small wormholes and repairs, but they are outside the ruled area. The leaf is unconditionally guaranteed genuine.

Notes:The Crown Jewel of Persian literature - the Shahnameh, or Epic of Kings, was written by Ferdowsi, a Persian poet who lived from 940 to 1020. It tells the stories of the mythical kings of Persia. Ferdowsi worked for thirty years to finish this masterpiece which contains nearly 60,000 verses in short rhyming couplets. His epic story of the heroes is still read today, and considered one of the greatest pieces of literature in the world.

Labels: leaf, manuscript, Persian poetry

Recto: Five lines of music and text written on heavy vellum, probably ox. The text is written in a rounded gothic hand (Rotunda). The music, with a flat in the key signature, is on a five-line stave ruled in red and written in black ink.

Verso: As Recto

Source: Spain

Date: Early 17th century, c. 1625

Condition: Good condition overall. One tiny (about 2 mm.) hole in the vellum. A few ink spots in the centre and a (repaired) tear in the vellum at the top that is masked off by the mat.

Image size: 470x300 mm. Mat size: 655x470 mm. Presented in a museum quality mat with backing, ready to frame. Certificate of Authenticity.
Post/packing within Australia: $24 Overseas: ask for quote.

Labels: Chant, Gregorian, leaf, manuscript