Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja

1509–10

Not on view

Manuscripts from the Safavid capital, such as this copy of Nizami's Khamsa, are notable for their high-quality illumination and bindings. Characteristic of Persian doublures of this period is the contrasting colors of this example: the burgundy of the leather, the blue of the center and corner-pieces, and the gold gilding. Venetian Renaissance gilded leather bindings were particularly influenced by Safavid and Ottoman examples.

Artwork Details

Title: Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja
Author: Nizami (present-day Azerbaijan, Ganja 1141–1209 Ganja)
Date: 1509–10
Geography: Attributed to Iran, Shiraz
Medium: Leather; tooled and gilded; ink on paper
Dimensions: H. 11 1/2 (29.2 cm)
W. 7 5/16 in. (18.5 cm)
D. 1 9/16 in. (4 cm)
Classification: Codices
Credit Line: Gift of Alexander Smith Cochran, 1913
Object Number: 13.228.6
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

By Nizami

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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"Khusrau Seated on his Throne", Folio 64 from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja, Nizami, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper — "Khusrau Seated on his Throne", Folio 64 from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja
Multiple artists/makers
dated 931 AH/1524–25 CE

"Khusrau Spies Shirin Bathing", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja, Nizami, Ink, opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper — "Khusrau Spies Shirin Bathing", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja
Nizami
16th century

"Khusrau and Shirin Conversing in Landscape at Night", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja, Nizami, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on unpolished paper — "Khusrau and Shirin Conversing in Landscape at Night", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja
Nizami
ca. 1625–30

Pages of Calligraphy from a Sharafnama (Book of Honour) of Nizami of Ganja, Nizami, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper — Pages of Calligraphy from a Sharafnama (Book of Honour) of Nizami of Ganja
Nizami
ca. 1620–30

Page of Calligraphy from a Sharafnama (Book of Honour) of Nizami of Ganja, Nizami, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper — Page of Calligraphy from a Sharafnama (Book of Honour) of Nizami of Ganja
Nizami
ca. 1620–30

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