[Khamsah]. - Amīr Khusraw Dihlavī, approximately 1253-1325.; Mīr ʻAlī Ḥusaynī Haravī, approximately 1476-1543. (Harāt, 1524)
Illuminated collection of four of Amīr Khusraw's epic poems in imitation of Niẓāmī Ganjavī's Khamsah; with eight full-page miniatures in the classical Persian style executed in the early 20th century. Copied by the famous calligrapher Mir ʻAlī Haravī (d. 1543).
Miniatures (as listed by Simpson, p. 361): fol. 1b: [Shīrīn visits Farhād in the mountains] -- fol. 2a: [Hunting scene] -- fol. 54b: [Tavern scene] -- fol. 55a: [Feast of ʻId] -- fol. 87b: [Mosque scene] -- fol. 88a: [Shrine scene] -- fol. 130b: [King Dara and the herdsmen] -- fol. 131a: [Encounter outside a palace].
Ms. codex.
Title supplied by cataloger.
On fol. ia: Label reading "Persian Exhibition New York 1940 GR1."
Physical description: 21 lines per page, in four columns; written in small, elegant nastaʻliq in black on heavy, cream, glazed, laid Arabic paper. Written surface gold-sprinkled and bordered by blue and gold lines; columns separated by double gold lines. Catchwords; headings in tawqīʻ in various colors. Some leaves are replacements on lighter paper. Light marginal damp staining. Last thirteen verses of Majnūn va Laylá missing, presumably painted over on fol. 87b. Otherwise in excellent condition.
Decorations: Sunburst ornament on fol. 1a enclosing medallions inscribed with the volume's contents. Well-executed illuminated ʻunwāns at the beginning of each poem, in gold and colors. Illustrated with eight full-page miniatures in the classical Persian style, executed in the early 20th century; the signature on fol. 54b of Turābī Bek Khurāsānī is likely a nom de plume.
Origin: Copy completed by ʻAlī al-Ḥusaynī al-kātib in the middle of Rabīʻ II 930 [February 1524] in Harāt (fol. 186b).
Keywords: Manuscripts, Persian -- Afghanistan -- Herat -- 16th century; Headpieces (layout features) -- Afghanistan -- Herat -- 16th century; Illuminated manuscripts -- Afghanistan -- Herat -- 16th century; Miniatures (Illuminations) -- Islamic countries -- 20th century; Poetry; Lacquered bindings