Calligraphy

Calligraphic piece of Persian poetry describing "a ruler's duty" written in black nasta'liq script in either Iran or India. Dimensions of Written Surface: 6.4 (w) x 14.7 (h) cm Majesty and Affection of Poets / If a variety of ripe peaches are brought to / Your servants by you or they (bring them themselves) / It is not permitted to eat alone / [they are right and know (?)] Makhduma muhabbat shu'ara / Agar az qism-i shaftalu-yi pur bar az jahat-i / Khuddam avarda bashid ya avarand / Tanha khurdan jayiz nist baqi / [..hakimand wa al-'alam (?)] The fragment is neither signed nor dated, but may have been executed in Iran or India sometime during the 18th or 19th century. The verses are written in black nasta'liq script and outlined by cloud bands on a background painted in gold and decorated by floral motifs. In the upper right corner, the intersection between the diagonal lines of text and the rectangular frame is filled by an illuminated triangle (or thumb piece). The text panel is framed by gold, blue, and green borders and is pasted to a larger pink sheet of paper backed by cardboard. This calligraphic fragment includes a poem in Persian which describes a ruler's duty to share his wealth. The verses read: Script: nasta'liq 1-04-713.19.9