Or 15964 (Oriental Manuscripts, British Library)
Oriental Manuscripts
Six works on Sufism
Contents
Five qaṣīdahs on mystical and metaphysical themes.
Munzavī in FNKhF IV, pp. 2678-9 lists only three manuscripts of this work, all from the 9th/15th century, in Tehran, Paris and Cairo.
A short Sufi poem.
FNKhF IV, p. 3049, lists three copies, including BL Add. 7611, of which only the Paris BnF manuscript predates the present one.
A prose treatise on Sufism and ethics, comprising five sections (qism) subdivided into faṣls.
For a description of its contents and references to 13 manuscripts, see FNKhF IV, pp. 1275-6.
The manuscript contains three contemporary miniature paintings, illustrating passages from Ṭarab al-majālis, on folios 30v, 32v, and 36r; these are of reasonably good quality but appear to have been needlessly retouched with brown paint, rather to their detriment.
A masnavī poem concerning various aspects of the Sufi journey to God. Munzavī FNKhF IV, pp. 3060-2 lists 36 copies.
A didactic poem on aspects of the Sufi Path, comprising eight ‘discourses’ (maqāla).
FNKhF IV, pp. 2849-51 lists 42 copies including BL Sloane 3587 and Add. 16832, to which should be added Add. 7767, Add. 19809, and Or. 1226. The incipit in the present manuscript is the second of the two cited by Munzavī, loc. cit.
A masnavī poem, also known by the title ‘Ishq-nāmah, comprising letters between a lover and his Beloved.
Munzavī FNKhF IV, pp. 2931-2, lists 8 copies. The incipit in the present manuscript is the second of the two cited by Munzavī, loc. cit.
Physical Description
Condition
Layout
Hand(s)
Nasta‘līq
Decoration
Multiple text frames: black, gold, yellow, red, green and black. Gold and polychrome floral motifs and designs of Central Asian type on most folios. Illuminated text openings on f. 1v-2r and 11v-12r. Illuminated poetical dā’ira, f. 9v. Headings and quotations, which are vocalised, in red. Text frames and columns in black and gold. Illuminated title headings, of fair quality, in gold and red with polychrome floral ornament. The manuscript contains three contemporary miniature paintings, illustrating passages from Ṭarab al-majālis, on folios 30v, 32v, and 36
Binding
Fine maroon morocco binding with flap,central ogival medallions and corner-pieces with gilt impressed arabesque ornament, and doublures with similar but smaller ornaments featuring fine leather filigree work.
History
Provenance and Acquisition
2003-05-01
Purchased at Bonhams sale 1 May 2003, lot 41
Record Sources
Availability
Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card for admissions procedures contact British Library, Registering for a Reader Pass. Contact apac-enquiries@bl.uk for further information on the availability of this manuscript. For information on catalogues and ordering manuscripts see Finding and ordering Persian manuscripts in the British Library.
Funding of Cataloguing
BL
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