Manuscrit de poésie persane : Guy-u-Chaugan ou Halnama (La balle et le maillet de polo) de 'Arifi, calligraphié par Shah Mahmud Nishapuri, Iran, art safavide, daté 1er Jumada II 944H./ 5 novembre 1537-8

encre, gouache et or sur papier sablé d'or, 61 pages, 8 lignes de poésie persane par page inscrites en nasta'liq, double-page de frontispice, le titre écrit à l'or dans un cartouche à fond bleu, surmonté d'un sarlow orné de rinceaux de palmettes bifides, les marges garnies de guirlandes dorées, colophon en bas de l'avant-dernière page, la dernière page enluminée d'une scène de match de polo, reliure en maroquin brun

The binding replaced and the mansucript reassembled in a different binding. As a result of the binding replaced, all pages show repaurs in the inner margins as visible in the catalogue illustrations. The first page with the frontispice restored. The different parts of the original page were cut and pasted on an added paper. There are brown stains due to spread ink as visible in the catalogue illustrations.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This mystical poem by 'Arifi (d. circa 1449) uses the concept of the polo ball and mallet as a metaphor for yearning for and being spurned by the beloved. A folio from Guy u Chaugan, with calligraphy by Shah Mahmud Nishapuri is in the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler collection in Washington, USA (F1935.20) and another manuscript from a later Safavid period is in the Aga Khan Museum Collection (AKM522). Two manuscripts by Shah Mahmud Nishapuri were sold at Christie's London, 23 October 2007, lot 103 and 7 October 2008, lot 315. For more information about the calligrapher, see note to lot 10 in this sale.