A calligraphic composition, China, 19th century

ink and gouache heightened with gold on paper, comprising the Bismillah in Sini script in black ink, Muhammad mirrored in each upper corner, on a polychrome ground decorated with flowers and arabesques, a central illustration of Imam 'Ali holding his sword Zulfiqar, ruled in blue, yellow and white, within wide red margins, framed

text panel: 34.9 by 44.3cm.

leaf: 50.2 by 62.9cm.