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Identification and Creation

Object Number
2006.119
People
Calligraphy attributed to Firuz Mirza Nusrat al-Dawla I
Title
Practice Calligraphy (Siah Mashkh)
Classification
Albums
Work Type
album folio
Date
c. 1850-1886
Places
Creation Place: Middle East, Iran
Period
Qajar period
Culture
Persian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/313098

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Dimensions
overall: 41.5 x 28.9 cm (16 5/16 x 11 3/8 in.)
calligraphy: 21.2 x 13.2 cm (8 3/8 x 5 3/16 in.)
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Signed: unsigned

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Afsaneh Firouz, Brookline, MA, Purchased from Firouz Firouz,, 2005, gave to HUAM 2006, 2006. Purchased from her brother, Firouz Firouz, in 2005
Firouz Firouz, sold to Afsaneh Firouz, 2005. Sold in 2005 to Afsaneh Firouz

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift in honor of Mr. Shahroukh Firouz
Accession Year
2006
Object Number
2006.119
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description
This is a fine example of a practice sheet of islami. Difficult to decipher, the text contains phrases of Persian poetry expressing conventional sentiments about romantic suffering. The bold strokes of the calligraphy contrast with the delicate floral ornamentation that surrounds it.
The work is unsigned, and the attribution to Firuz Mirza Nusrat al-Dawla I (Firouz Mirza Nosret-ed-Dowleh I) comes from the donor, Afsaneh Firouz-Ardalan. The donor, who served as Calderwood Intern at HUAM during the years 2001 - 2003, is a descendant of the artist.

Exhibition History

  • Traces of the Calligrapher: Islamic Calligraphy in Practice, c. 1600–1900, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Houston, 11/03/2007 - 02/03/2008; Asia Society Museum, New York, 10/07/2008 - 02/08/2009; Michael C. Carlos Museum of Art, Atlanta, 08/28/2010 - 12/05/2010
  • 32Q: 2550 Islamic, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 04/26/2016 - 11/01/2016; Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 10/31/2022 - 04/17/2023

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu