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Page with illuminated calligraphy, Part of a poem by Aḥmed Pāşā (d. 1497 CE)

Calligrapher: Hasan Çelebi (Ottoman, died 1594)
16th century
Object Place: Turkey

Medium/Technique Ink and gold on paper; colored paper
Dimensions Height x width: 58.4 × 22.2 cm (23 × 8 3/4 in.)
Credit Line Helen and Alice Colburn Fund
Accession Number29.96
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Islamic Art
ClassificationsBooks and manuscripts
This calligraphic panel contains a poem expressing love towards the celebratory Muslim festival of 'Eid. The poem, which addresses the festival in anthropomorphic terms, was originally composed by Aḥmed Pāşā (d. 1497). Recognized for his role in the adoption of many Persian conventions into Ottoman poetry, Aḥmed Pāşā was patronized by Sultans Mehmed II (r. 1444–46 and 1451–1481) and Bayezid II (r. 1481–1512). The well-known calligrapher Hasan Çelebi (d. 1594) inscribed this folio with a fragment of Aḥmed Pāşā 's poem using three different styles of script: thuluth, rayhani, and naskh.

DescriptionSingle folio; calligraphy in thuluth, rayhani, and naskh with illumination
ProvenanceMiss Elizabeth (Riefstahl) Titzel (b. 1889 - d. 1986), New York; 1929, sold by Miss Elizabeth (Riefstahl) Titzel to the MFA for $5000.00 (total price for 29.56-136). (Accession Date: January 3, 1929)