A divan of Sa'adi, 1456/7

Source: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/search/LOTDETAIL.ASP?sid=&intObjectID=4483419&SE=CMWCAT03+850966+%2D1744793312+&QR=M+1+0+Aqc0000900+825708++Aqc0000900+&entry=india&SU=1&SN=7038&RQ=True&AN=174
(downloaded Apr. 2005)

"SHEIKH MUSLIH AL-DIN SA'DI: DIVAN, TIMURID IRAN, DATED AH 860/1456-7 AD
Persian manuscript on paper, 326ff. with 13ll. of small black nasta'liq in a single line or in two columns, 28ll. of nasta'liq written diagonally in the margins, outer margins blue, gold and black, double inner margins gold between black lines, illuminated headings some with gold thuluth over spiralling red or green spiralling arabesque on blue ground in cusped panels with endpieces of gold and polychrome arabesques over black, with upper arabesque frieze over blue ground, some with coloured kufic over spiralling arabesque on gold ground, minor headings of coloured thuluth in clouds reserved on panels with hatched backgrounds, illuminated double-page opening with five lines of black nasta'liq in clouds over hatched gold ground with panels containing inscriptions, similar to the other headings, all within gold plaited frame, with arabesque friezes over blue at head and toe, similar diagonally set panels above and below, lines of verse in the margins over gold hatched ground, later brown moroccco binding with flap, some of illumination rubbed, some with minor retouching, some water staining. Folio 8¼ x 4¾in. (20.8 x 11.5cm.)."