ticketsMember | Make a donation

Album Page with Calligraphy Exercise (siyah mashq) by Muhammad Shah Qajar (3rd Ruler of the Qajar Dynasty)

Calligrapher Muhammad Shah Iranian
dated Shawwal 1260 AH/October 1844 CE
Not on view
This album page features a compositional siyah mashq, or calligraphy practice sheet, in nasta’liq script, whereby the calligrapher Muhammad Shah Qajar (third ruler of the Qajar dynasty r. 1834–1848), repeats letters, words, or combinations of words using verses from the Shahnama as a point of departure. It comes from a royal album of calligraphies. According to an inscription on the top right-hand corner, the page was dedicated to the Shah’s wife Khadija Khanum (mother of ʿAbbas Mirza, the vice-regent na’ib al-saltana). It is dated Shawwal 1260/October 1844. An inscription in a cartouche on the top of the maroon border reads: "by the hand of the Shahanshah of Iran, Muhammad Shah Ghazi."

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Album Page with Calligraphy Exercise (siyah mashq) by Muhammad Shah Qajar (3rd Ruler of the Qajar Dynasty)
  • Calligrapher: Muhammad Shah (Iranian, 3rd Qajar ruler (r. 1834–48))
  • Date: dated Shawwal 1260 AH/October 1844 CE
  • Geography: Made in Iran
  • Medium: Ink, gold, and opaque watercolor on paper
  • Dimensions: H. 12 3/16 in. (31 cm)
    W. 7 11/16 in. (19.6 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Islamic Art Gifts, 2016
  • Object Number: 2016.535
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Nasir Al-Din Shah Qajar (r. 1848–1896) with a Cannon, Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
Nasir Al-Din Shah Qajar (r. 1848–1896) with a Cannon
ca. 1850
Qur'an Manuscript, Ink, opaque watercolor, and 13.228.24<br/>gold on paper; leather binding
Qur'an Manuscript
dated 1268 AH/1851–52 CE
Portrait of Prince Nasir al-Din Mirza, Aqa Buzurg Shirazi Iranian, Watercolor on paper
Portrait of Prince Nasir al-Din Mirza
Aqa Buzurg Shirazi
1840's
Pen Box (Qalamdan) Depicting Shah Isma'il in a Battle against the Uzbeks, Papier-maché; painted and lacquered
Pen Box (Qalamdan) Depicting Shah Isma'il in a Battle against the Uzbeks
early 19th century
Knife with Ivory Hilt, Steel, watered; ivory and gold
Knife with Ivory Hilt
19th century

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.