Illuminated Manuscript, History of Nigaristan

This is an illuminated and illustrated Safavid copy of the History of Nigaristan (Iran), known as Kitāb-i Nigāristān or Tārīkh-i Nigāristān by Ahmad Ghaffārī (d. 975 AH / 1567-8 CE). The colophon indicates that it was completed on the 5 Shawwāl 976 AH / 1569 CE. The manuscript opens with a double-page illuminated frontispiece, and there are eight paintings illustrating the text in a style that has been associated with the school of painting at Shīrāz. The dark brown/black leather binding, which is contemporary with the manuscript, has a large central panel with oval and pendants. The border is comprised of cartouches alternating with roundels. All are gold-brushed and decorated with floral and cloud motifs. Munzir ibn Mughīrah of Damascus being received by the vizier Fazl Barmakī. To explore fully digitized manuscripts with a virtual page-turning application, please visit Walters Ex Libris.