Page from the Late Shah Jahan Album: Persian Calligraphy Framed by an Ornamental Border of Flowers and Birds c. 1500 to 1540 This object has related works. See Page from the Late Shah Jahan Album: Portrait of Asaf Khan; Page from the Late Shah Jahan Album: Prince and Ascetics Mir 'Ali India, Mughal court, reign of Shah Jahan (1628-1658) (album page and borders); probably Afghanistan, Herat (calligraphy), Mughal Dynasty (1526-1756) Opaque watercolor, gold and ink on paper Overall: 36.8 x 25.2 cm (14 1/2 x 9 15/16 in.) Gift of Herbert F. Leisy in memory of his wife, Helen Stamp Leisy 1977.207 DESCRIPTION Works of the celebrated calligrapher Mir 'Ali were favored for inclusion in the Late Shah Jahan Album, possibly because of his links to the dynasty founded by the Mughals' ancestor Timur (1336- 1405). This calligraphy page was more than 100 years old when it was set into the imperial album and given a border exquisitely rendered with scrolling floral vines bearing birds and deer. The prominence of calligraphy and poetry in Mughal albums is an indication of how these Turkic rulers of India revered Persian literary arts. The central poem by the Persian poet Ibn-I Yamin (1286-1368) calls for stoicism rather than fear of unexpected calamities. It is framed by four small panels containing verses from a love song by the Persian poet Amir Shahi Sabezavari, who died in 1453. They read: Ever since knotted locks of your hair were tied around your throat, My neck has also been chained by your tresses. Henceforth my lot is to lament and cry, sounding like the [awakening] caravan bell, Protesting against these fellow travelers who have tied a heavy load on a nightingale. ARTIST BIOGRAPHY MIR 'ALI Persian, active in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan EXHIBITION HISTORY Indian Minature Rotation (Gallery 115); August 18, 2004 - May 23, 2005. Main Gallery Rotation (gallery 245): April 28, 2015 - November 2, 2015.