RSPA 52 (Oriental Manuscripts, British Library)
India Office Library
Jones Collection
Royal Society Arabic and Persian
Contents
1 copy of Dīvān-i Ṣāʾib by Muḥammad ʿAlī Ṣāʾib-i Tabrīzī
Language(s): Persian
This manuscript is dated to ten years before Ṣāʾib's death.
The contents of the manuscript are predominanlty his ghazals (ff1v-438v) in alphabetical order, followed by his maṭāliʿ between f439v-f458v and his mutafarriqāt between f459v-f555r.
This manuscript bears the seal of Aẓhar Khān Sayyid ʿAlī, dated 1201AH.
The first double spread (f1v-f2r) is covered in a bright and multicoloured leaf and vine pattern. Three ornamented headpieces in the manuscript (on f1v, f439v and f459v).
Physical Description
European numerals in pencil.
Condition
Excellent condition.
Layout
Some folios have marginal verses written down the page inside a cloud-shaped gilded textbox.
Hand(s)
Very fine nīm-shikastah in black ink.
Decoration
There are some verses written transversely down the page on f0v.
Binding
Very beautiful red leather European-style Indian binding with richly ornamented embossed frieze patterning with a gilded mandorla and marginal design on front and back.
Accompanying Material
History
Provenance and Acquisition
RSPA 1-118 were presented to the Royal Society in January 1792 by Sir William and Lady Jones.
The Royal Society's collection of 280 Persian and Arabic, and 86 Sanskrit manuscripts were transferred to the India Office Library in 1876.
1876
India Office Library
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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