An artful gift inspired by The Met collection.
In the early 16th century, Iran was united under the great Safavid dynasty (1501–1722). The Safavids actively supported the book arts, and manuscripts from this period are noted for their exquisite calligraphy, illuminations, paintings, and bindings. A splendid manuscript (1524–25) from a Khamsa (quintet) by the Persian poet Nizami (present-day Azerbaijan, 1141–1209), now in the Museum’s Islamic art collection, informs the magnificent details on this pen.
