Mughal Manuscript Pages

Intricately illustrated text pages from the 'Mirror of Holiness', featuring ink and gold on paper, from Mughal India, dated around 1602.

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper; average: 26.1 x 15.6 cm (10 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.).

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper; average: 26.1 x 15.6 cm (10 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.).

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper;

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper; average: 26.1 x 15.6 cm (10 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.).

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper;

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper; average: 26.1 x 15.6 cm (10 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.).

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper; average: 26.1 x 15.6 cm (10 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.).

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper;

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper;

Page with Two Columns of Persian Writing, 18th century. India, Mughal Dynasty (1526-1756). Ink on paper; overall: 29.2 x 18.5 cm (11 1/2 x 7 5/16 in.).

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper; average: 26.1 x 15.6 cm (10 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.).

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper;

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper;

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper; average: 26.1 x 15.6 cm (10 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.).

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper; average: 26.1 x 15.6 cm (10 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.).

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper;

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper;

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper; average: 26.1 x 15.6 cm (10 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.).

Narcissus (narjis), f. 209. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 109v, 1580, Qazvin

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper; average: 26.1 x 15.6 cm (10 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.).

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper;

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 50, 1580, Qazvin

Page with Two Columns of Persian Writing, 18th century. India, Mughal Dynasty (1526-1756). Ink on paper; overall: 29.2 x 18.5 cm (11 1/2 x 7 5/16 in.).

Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 72, 1580, Qazvin

The orbit of Mercury (al-'Utârid), f. 18v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper;

Page with Two Columns of Persian Writing, 18th century. India, Mughal Dynasty (1526-1756). Ink on paper; overall: 29.2 x 18.5 cm (11 1/2 x 7 5/16 in.).

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper; average: 26.1 x 15.6 cm (10 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.).

Page from the Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds), c. 1605-10. Abd al-Rahim, the Anbarin-Qalam (Indian, active c. 1590-1630). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; page: 17.8 x 12.5 cm (7 x 4 15/16 in.). According to Akbar's court historian, the emperor ordered likenesses to be taken of the grandees of his realm. "An immense album was thus formed: those that have passed away have received a new life, and those who are still alive have immortality promised them." Akbar's son and successor, Jahangir (reigned 1605-27), continued the tradition of commissioning works of lifelike portraiture for inclusion in imperial albums. This courtier wears an opulent fur-trimmed, fringed velvet coat over his belted white tunic and striped pants-the typical Mughal dress derived from their roots among the nomadic horse-riding people of Central Asia. The artist has reveled in creating the soft textures of the facial hair, fur and fabrics. He holds a ruby-like gemstone called a spinel, which was prized amon

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper; average: 26.1 x 15.6 cm (10 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.).

Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 12., 1580 ., Qazvin

Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 51., 1580 ., Qazvin

Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 123v, 1580, Qazvin

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper; average: 26.1 x 15.6 cm (10 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.).

Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 102v., 1580 ., Qazvin

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper; average: 26.1 x 15.6 cm (10 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.).

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper;

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper; average: 26.1 x 15.6 cm (10 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.).

Shad (shabût). A fat gray fish, f. 98v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

School Exercise Alphabet, 18th century. India, Mughal Dynasty (1526-1756). Ink on paper; overall: 25.8 x 16.2 cm (10 3/16 x 6 3/8 in.).

Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 128, 1580, Qazvin

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Text page from a Mirror of Holiness (Mirat al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, 1602. Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569-1627). Ink and gold on paper;

Tasrîh-i Mansûrî, fol. 38v, 1675 (Questionable), Persia, Manuscripts, Persian, Anatomy, Early works to 1800

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Text Page, Persian Prose (recto) from a Manuscript of the Majma' al-Tavarikh (A Compendium of Histories) by Hafiz-i Abru: , c. 1425. Afghanistan, Herat, Timurid period (1370-1501). Ink and opaque watercolor on paper; overall: 42 x 32 cm (16 9/16 x 12 5/8 in.); text area: 34.5 x 22.7 cm (13 9/16 x 8 15/16 in.).

The Forty-Eighth Year of Nushirwan's Reign: the Combat of the Khaqan of China with the Haithalians (verso) from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (940-1019 or 1025), c. 1482. Iran, Shiraz, Timurid period (1370-1501). Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper; image: 14.7 x 15 cm (5 13/16 x 5 7/8 in.); overall: 32.5 x 23.2 cm (12 13/16 x 9 1/8 in.); text area: 23 x 15.5 cm (9 1/16 x 6 1/8 in.).

The beginning (at the 9th line) of an essay on the management of infants (Tadbr al-afl) that was extracted from Kitb al-Bayn ('The Book of Explanation'). Neither the compiler's name nor that of the original book is given, but the procedures are presumably taken from the popular treatise Minhaj al-bayn ('The Way of Explanation') written by Ibn Jazlah, who died in 1100/493

Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 133., 1580 ., Qazvin

Scorpion ('aqrab), f. 366v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

A very long, thin snake, f. 313v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

In Egypt, there is a strange creature that is like one woman from the waist down and two women from the waist up, f. 13. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 117, 1580, Qazvin

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Millet (jâwars), f. 187. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

Tasrîh-i Mansûrî, fol. 44v., 1675 (Questionable)., Persia Manuscripts, Persian, Anatomy, Early works to 1800

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 130v., 1580 ., Qazvin

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Page of Calligraphy from a Kalila wa Dimna second quarter 16th century This manuscript contains seventy-eight paintings and many text folios telling the famous tales of the jackals Kalila and Dimna. Based on the book of ancient Indian animal fables, the Panchatantra written by Vidyapati (Bidpai), the stories spread all over the Middle East where they became wildly popular. This manuscript has a strong flavor of Mamluk Egypt in the figure styles and bold drawings, with hints of Ottoman tulips and Safavid turbans. However, the burnt orange palette and darkly-inked lines have led to an attribution to Sultanate Gujarat where it is suggested this manuscript was copied from an Egyptian original. Its life in India is also attested by a Devanagari inscription at the end, although the rest of the Arabic text is written in a strong, left-leaning naskh-like script.. Page of Calligraphy from a Kalila wa Dimna 453117

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 141v, 1580, Qazvin

Page of Calligraphy from a Kalila wa Dimna second quarter 16th century This manuscript contains seventy-eight paintings and many text folios telling the famous tales of the jackals Kalila and Dimna. Based on the book of ancient Indian animal fables, the Panchatantra written by Vidyapati (Bidpai), the stories spread all over the Middle East where they became wildly popular. This manuscript has a strong flavor of Mamluk Egypt in the figure styles and bold drawings, with hints of Ottoman tulips and Safavid turbans. However, the burnt orange palette and darkly-inked lines have led to an attribution to Sultanate Gujarat where it is suggested this manuscript was copied from an Egyptian original. Its life in India is also attested by a Devanagari inscription at the end, although the rest of the Arabic text is written in a strong, left-leaning naskh-like script.. Page of Calligraphy from a Kalila wa Dimna 453123

Ivy (lablâb), f. 205. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 39, Approximately 1580, Qazvin

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Persian Calligraphy (recto) and Standing Nobleman (verso) Persian Calligraphy (recto) and Standing Nobleman (verso), 17th century. Ink, color, and gold on paper (recto) and ink on paper (verso), recto: 7 1/8 × 4 1/8 in. (18.1 × 10.5 cm). Asian Art 17th century

The opening of a Turkish treatise on cupping and bloodletting by an otherwise unknown author, Muammad ibn Mamd, who states at the end of the treatise that he completed writing it in the month of Rajab 1171 [= March-April 1758. The copy was made in 1773/1187.

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

A worm that eats into ships (arazat), f. 357v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

Tasrîh-i Mansûrî, fol. 44., 1675 (Questionable)., Persia Manuscripts, Persian, Anatomy, Early works to 1800

Tasrîh-i Mansûrî, fol. 25v., 1675 (Questionable)., Persia Manuscripts, Persian, Anatomy, Early works to 1800

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Page of Calligraphy from a Kalila wa Dimna second quarter 16th century This manuscript contains seventy-eight paintings and many text folios telling the famous tales of the jackals Kalila and Dimna. Based on the book of ancient Indian animal fables, the Panchatantra written by Vidyapati (Bidpai), the stories spread all over the Middle East where they became wildly popular. This manuscript has a strong flavor of Mamluk Egypt in the figure styles and bold drawings, with hints of Ottoman tulips and Safavid turbans. However, the burnt orange palette and darkly-inked lines have led to an attribution to Sultanate Gujarat where it is suggested this manuscript was copied from an Egyptian original. Its life in India is also attested by a Devanagari inscription at the end, although the rest of the Arabic text is written in a strong, left-leaning naskh-like script.. Page of Calligraphy from a Kalila wa Dimna 453146

Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 7v., 1580 ., Qazvin

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1517. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 2v. 1577. text. Manuscripts. Spencer Collection

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Garlic (balbûs) Misspelled balyûs top; Aconite (bîsh). A poisonous plant that resembles ginger bottom, f. 185v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

Miniature Painting Miniature Painting, 19th century. Ink on paper, Writing: 5 3/4 x 3 3/4 in. (14.6 x 9.5 cm). Arts of the Islamic World 19th century

Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 17. 1577. text. Manuscripts. Spencer Collection

Starling (zurzûr), f. 346v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

The dragon of the eclipse (tinnîn), f. 359. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20 x 14.3 cm (7 7/8 x 5 5/8 in.); text field: 16.6 x 10.6 cm (6 9/16 x 4 3/16 in.).

Cauliflower (qinbît), f. 201v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

The orbit of Mars (Mirrîkh), a second view top; The orbit of Jupiter (Mushtarî) bottom, f. 22. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

Qisas al-Anbiyâ, fol. 22v. 1577. text. Manuscripts. Spencer Collection

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Ink and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.).

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