خمسۀ نظامی

Walters Ms. W.611, Five poems (quintet)

Walters Ms. W.611, Five poems (quintet)

Khamsah-i Niẓāmī

خمسه نظامى

Niẓāmī Ganjavī, 1140 or 41-1202 or 3 (author)

Ilyās ibn Yūsuf Niẓāmī Ganjavī (author)

الياس بن يوسف نظامى گنجوى (author)

Shams al-Dīn Kirmānī (scribe)

This is an illuminated and illustrated copy of the Khamsah (quintet) by Niẓāmī Ganjavī (d. 605 AH / 1209 CE), written in 1059 AH / 1649 CE by Shams al-Dīn Kirmānī. The codex opens with an illuminated titlepiece inscribed hadhā kitāb Khamsah-ʾi Mawlānā Shaykh-i Niẓāmī (fol. 1b). There are additional illuminated headpieces for the subsequent four poems (fols. 22b, 82b, 130b, and 180b). The illustrations are in different styles executed during the Safavid and Qajar periods. The floral lacquer binding dates to the thirteenth century AH / nineteenth CE. For full description, see http://www.thedigitalwalters.org/Data/WaltersManuscripts/html/W611/description.html

The primary language in this manuscript is Persian.

Twenty-four illustrations; illuminated titlepieces and headpieces opening each poem of the Khamsah, along with decorated borders and cloud-bands between lines (fols. 1b, 22b, 82b, 130b, and 180b); text enclosed within a frame

fol. 1b Incipit page with illuminated titlepiece Incipit; headpiece This incipit page has an illuminated headpiece inscribed hadhā kitāb Khamsah-i Mawlānā Shaykh-i Niẓāmī. It introduces the first poem of the Khamsah, Makhzan al-asrār. There is interlinear gilt decoration on this page and the facing page.

fol. 13a An old woman implores Sultan Sanjar for help Illustration An old woman complains to Sultan Sanjar about his policeman.

fol. 15b A fox and a robber Illustration

fol. 22b Incipit page with illuminated headpiece Incipit; headpiece This illuminated headpiece introduces the second poem of the Khamsah, Khusraw va Shīrīn.

fol. 32b Shāpūr shows Shīrin a picture of Khusraw Illustration

fol. 45a Khusraw battles Bahrām Chūbīnah Illustration

fol. 53b Farhād carries Shīrīn and her dead horse Illustration

fol. 66a Khusraw and Shīrīn on the throne in the presence of courtiers Illustration

fol. 72b Khusraw being advised by Buzurg Umīd Illustration

fol. 82b Incipit page with illuminated headpiece Incipit; headpiece This illuminated headpiece introduces the third poem of the Khamsah, Laylá va Majnūn.

fol. 92b Majūn visits Laylá in the company of wild animals Illustration

fol. 100a Nawfal and his men attack Laylá’s tribe Illustration

fol. 109a Majnūn in the wilderness surrounded by animals Illustration

fol. 116b Salīm visits Majnūn in the wilderness Illustration

fol. 123a Laylá and Majnūn reunited after a long separation Illustration

fol. 130b Incipit page with illuminated headpiece Inicipit; headpiece This illuminated headpiece introduces the fourth poem of the Khamsah, Haft paykar.

fol. 141a Bahrām Gūr kills two lions Illustration

fol. 148a Bahrām Gūr in the black pavilion Illustration

fol. 153b Bahrām Gūr in the yellow pavilion Illustration

fol. 156a Bahrām Gūr in the green pavilion Illustration

fol. 158b Bahrām Gūr in the red pavilion Illustration

fol. 162a Bahrām Gūr in the blue pavilion Illustration

fol. 166b Bahrām Gūr in the sandalwood pavilion Illustration

fol. 170a Bahrām Gūr in the white pavilion Illustration

fol. 180b Incipit page with illuminated headpiece Incipit; headpiece This illuminated headpiece introduces the fifth poem of the Khamsah, Iskandarnāmah.

fol. 192b Alexander the Great fights the Ethiopians Illustration

fol. 204b Alexander the Great laments the death of Darius Illustration

fol. 232b Alexander the Great received by the Khāqān of China Illustration

fol. 237a Alexander the Great fights the Russians Illustration

8 Shaʿbān 1059 AH / 1649 CE

Partly visible seal impression dated [1]320[?]AH: [...?] Ibrāhīm (fol.1a)

Walters Art Museum, 1931, by Henry Walters bequest

Persian

paper

image/jpeg

1649

All Walters manuscript images and descriptions provided here are copyrighted © The Walters Art Museum.