On the lovers' passion

An anecdotal calligraphic piece in Persian: On the lovers' passion, attributed to Arab prose writer al-Jahiz (d. 255/869). Writen in Shikastah-Nasta'liq script in Iran during the 17th or 18th century. Dimensions of Written Surface: 9.5 (w) x 17.5 (h) cm The fragment appears signed in the upper left corner; however, the signature is too small to be legible. The layout of the composition and the use of shikastah-nasta'liq script suggest that the piece was made in Iran during the 17th or 18th century. The text is executed in minute shikastah-nasta'liq script in diagonal lines in two columns. Executed on a beige paper, the text is framed by cloud bands on a gold background. The text panel is framed by a blue border with red and pink flowers and pasted to a larger sheet of paper backed by cardboard. This calligraphic fragment includes an anecdote about the passion of the lover and the beloved (ishtiyaq-i muhibb va mahbub), as written in red ink in the upper right corner. As the author then notes, the story seems to have been recorded by the prolific Arab prose writer al-Jahiz (d. 255/869). The subsequent text desribes the tragic story of two lovers who drowned at sea. Script: shikastah-nasta'liq 1-04-713.19.8