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Respect for fine calligraphy is common throughout the Islamic world. In many cases, court artisans would cut out fine examples of calligraphy (as well as even miniatures) and assemble them into new albums, as was the case with this manuscript. These pages are a collection of lines of Persian verses written in styles of calligraphy known as shakasta and nastaliq. Interestingly, the book opens accordion-style. 

Pages from a Calligraphy Manuscript 2

Name: Pages from a Calligraphy Manuscript 1

Material: Ink and paint on paper

Size:
Length: 24.5 cm (8.5 in)
Width: 15.8 cm (6.2 in)

Date: Compiled in the late eighteenth century, although some of the pages bear the date 1533 CE

Place of Origin: Possibly India (?)

Location: Oriental Institute Museum, Chicago, Illinois

Source and Registration#: University of Chicago Oriental Institute manuscript # A12100

Michael Sells

John Henry Barrows Professor of Islamic History and Literature, Divinity School, The University of Chicago