Image: Eid Blessings WDL6855

Description: This calligraphic fragment provides Arabic blessings to a ruler on the occasion of Eid (also seen as 'Id). A number of the patron's epithets and titles are included in the text, which is executed in black Naskh script on a beige paper. The words are fully vocalized in black and are framed by cloud bands on a gold background. The text panel is framed by a border decorated with red, blue, and green flower and vine motifs and is pasted to a larger salmon-orange colored piece of paper backed by cardboard. In the lower-left corner, the calligrapher, (Muhammad) 'Ali, has signed his work and dated it 1142 AH (1729–30). It appears that the original calligrapher's name, which included the name 'Ali, was erased purposefully. It is possible, therefore, that the date constitutes a later correction as well. Text panels such as this one, providing various Arabic-language prayers in Naskh script, were made by the famous Naskh-revival Persian calligraphers Mirza Ahmad Nayrizi (died 1152 AH/1739) and his followers. For this reason, it is most likely that this piece was executed by a Persian calligrapher active during the 18th century. Arabic calligraphy; Arabic manuscripts; Holidays; Illuminations; Islamic calligraphy; Islamic manuscripts; ʻĪd al-Aḍḥā
Usage Terms: Public domain