An illuminated manuscript of Arabic verses, India, Mughal, 17th century

Arabic manuscript on gold-speckled blue paper, 194 leaves, plus 4 fly-leaves, 9 lines to the page written in black naskh, the first and ninth lines written in large black muhaqqaq outlined in gold, the fifth line written in gold muhaqqaq, f.1b with gold and polychrome illuminated headpiece surmounting text, 3 further illuminated headpieces within the text, colophon with an abjad chronogram giving the date 1034 AH, in gilt-stamped brown leather binding
21.6 by 11.1cm.

Condition Report:
The text clear and legible throughout. The leaves with minor discolouration and marginal repairs. Scattered small wormholes mainly to the margins. The binding stable with light surface wear. As viewed.

Catalogue Note:
The first half of this manuscript comprises Arabic quatrains, with the opening illuminated headpiece entitled Divanchah-yi Ruba‘iyat (the Little Divan of Quatrains), and the second half comprises Arabic qasidas. The poet is unidentified, but the final verses possibly include a reference to the titles of the works, Kanz Allah (God’s Treasure) and Kanz al-Shah (The King’s Treasure). In between the first and second sections of the text, there is a note stating that it is in the hand of the author. The colophon to the manuscript unusually includes an abjad chronogram of date of the composition and probably the completion of this manuscript of 1034 AH (1624-5 AD).