Lot 93
  • 93

A CALLIGRAPHIC ALBUM PAGE FROM THE WARREN HASTINGS ALBUM, SIGNED BY ABD AL-RASHID AL-DAYLAMI, INDIA, MUGHAL, CIRCA 1625-60 |

Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • calligraphy: 19.4 by 10.3cm.leaf: 43.5 by 28.6cm.
Persian manuscript on marbled paper, 7 lines written in black nasta'liq within clouds on gold background, laid down on an album page, the inner border with gold scrolls on blue ground, the outer border with a gold floral lattice on cream ground

Provenance

Warren Hastings, Governor General of India (1732-1818), acquired circa 1775.
In the Warren Hastings Album, Daylesford House, Worcestershire, by 1818.
Messrs Farebrother, Clark and Lye, London, Sale of the Contents of Daylesford House, Worcestershire, 22 August 1853, lot 873.
Sir Thomas Phillips Bt (1792-1872), Phillips Mss.14166.
Sotheby's London, Biblioteca Philippica, 27 November 1974, lot 793 (part).

Condition

In good condition, minor rubbing but the calligraphy remains bright, as viewed.
"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."

Catalogue Note

Abd al-Rashid al-Daylami (d.1670) was originally from Qazvin and studied calligraphy under the great master Mir 'Imad al-Hasani, who was his uncle. He joined the court of Jahangir around 1623-24 and was a royal calligrapher as well as head of the Royal Library during Shah Jahan's reign. His surviving calligraphies and manuscripts are dated between 1631-61 and he was renowned for his mastery in nasta'liq script. Warren Hastings was the first British Governor-General of India and during his stay in the Indian subcontinent, he assembled and collected a large number of paintings and calligraphies which he brought back when he returned to Britain.

A calligraphic album page signed by Abd al-Rashid is now in the Royal Collection, inv. no.RCIN1005068j. A découpe calligraphy was sold at Christie's London, 10 October 2013, lot 38, whilst another was sold in Sotheby's Paris, 22 October 2015, lot 61.