Consisting of three quatrains and three couplets, this elegant page of calligraphy is illuminated in gold and framed by a light pink border with blue margins. The panel is signed by Mir 'Ali al-Katib (d.1544-45 AD), who is often mentioned by Safavid sources as amongst the most important nasta'liq calligraphers of all time. Various authorities attribute the codifying of the aesthetic rules of nasta'liq script to him. Born in Herat circa 1476 AD, he was later taken to Bukhara by the Shaybanid ruler 'Ubaydullah Khan after his capture of Herat in 1528-29 AD (Bayani, 1346 sh. p.494). His recorded works are dated between 914 AH (1508-09 AD) and 951 AH (1544-45 AD).

The quatrains of this spare yet elegant panel are penned in an elegant diagonal nasta'liq across the leaf in ruled diamond-form sections with gold-leafed corners, with ruled couplets appearing between each quatrain. The subtle yet marked illumination of the buff-coloured paper with gold creates a pleasing effect wherein the page is suffused with a soft and glimmering light. The first quatrain of our panel explains that the poetry to follows is by 'Ali al-Husayni, in praise of Khwaja Mir who was the Vizier of Sultan 'Abd al-'Aziz, the ruler of Bukhara (r.1540-49).

Comparable calligraphy panels by Mir 'Ali have been sold at Christie's London, 26 October 2017, lots 41 and 180.

Single album page, illuminated manuscript on gold-illuminated buff paper, in Persian, 233 x 137 mm (text panel), 355 x 230 mm (folio); with three panels each of 4ll. of elegant diagonal nasta'liq, alternating with smaller panels with 2ll. of nasta'liq in two columns, illuminated corners, final lines with abjad date and signature, laid down between minor pink borders on light blue margins, some light age-toning and rubbing.