منظومۀ مهر و مشتری

Walters Ms. W.627, Mihr and Mushtari

Walters Ms. W.627, Mihr and Mushtari

Mihr va Mushtarī

مهر ومشترى

ʻAṣṣār Tabrīzī, Muḥammad, d. 1382 or 3 (author)

Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad ʿAṣṣār Tabrīzī (author)

محمد بن احمد عصار تبريزى (author)

Murshid al-Kātib (scribe)

This manuscript is an illustrated copy of the well-known poem recounting the platonic love story between Mihr (the Sun), the son of Shāhpūr, and his vizier's son Mushtarī (Jupiter). The story of 90 chapters was composed by Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad ‘Aṣṣār Tabrīzī (d. 784 AH / 1382 CE). The present copy was written in nasta‘līq script by Murshid al-Kātib in 881 AH / 1476 CE. Considering the number of surviving manuscripts in which this calligrapher’s name is found, it seems he was particularly prolific. The present codex is illustrated with nine paintings. The gold-brushed leather binding with doublures of red leather decorated with filigree work is original to the manuscript. For full description, see http://www.thedigitalwalters.org/Data/WaltersManuscripts/html/W627/description.html

The primary language in this manuscript is Persian.

Nine illustrations (fols. 17b, 79b, 110a, 121a, 151b, 166b, 184a, 190a, and 214a); double-page illuminated incipit (fols. 2b-3a); chapter headings in gold on an illuminated ground; framing lines in gold and black

fol. 2b Double-page illuminated incipit Incipit This is the right side of a double-page illuminated incipit with inscriptions in the upper and lower panels in New Abbasid (broken cursive) style, reading al-ʿuẓmah li-LLāh and al-qudrah li-Llāh, respectively.

fol. 3a Double-page illuminated incipit Incipit This is the left side of a double-page illuminated incipit with inscriptions in the upper and lower panels in New Abbasid (broken cursive) style, reading al-ʿuẓmah li-LLāh and al-qudrah li-Llāh, respectively.

fol. 17b King Shāhpūr and his vizier, Dastūr, visit a hermit Illustration King Shāhpūr and his vizier, Dastūr, are depicted kissing the hand and foot of a hermit. Such gestures show deep respect for the wise man who has renounced the material world.

fol. 79b Mushtarī kneels at the feet of Mihr in the presence of courtiers Illustration Mushtarī (Jupiter), who is the son of the vizier, kneels at the feet of Mihr (the Sun), the son of King Shāhpūr.

fol. 110a Mihr sailing to India in search of Mushtarī Illustration Driven by deep affection, Mihr sails to India in search of Mushtarī.

fol. 121a Mihr killing a lion Illustration

fol. 151b Mihr and King Kayvān playing polo Illustration

fol. 166b Mihr hunting in the presence of King Kayvān and his entourage Illustration

fol. 184a Mihr killing Yaldūz, the warrior of Qarā Khān, the king of Samarqand Illustration

fol. 190a Mihr being received by King Kayvān Illustration

fol. 214b Mihr and Nāhīd, King Kayvān's daughter, on their wedding night Illustration

Ramaḍān 881 AH / 1476 CE

Walters Art Museum, 1931, by Henry Walters bequest; book plate: Ex libris Henry Walters

Persian

paper

image/jpeg

1476

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