Sadi7

Script: nasta'liq These calligraphic fragments are the first seven pages of Sa'di's Bustan (The Fruit Garden or The Orchard). The order of the first seven pages of this work all belonging to the same manuscript goes as follows: Page 1: 1-04-713.19.26, Page 2: 1-04-713.19.15, Page 3: 1-04-713.19.14, Page 4: 1-04-713.19.12, Page 5: 1-04-713.19.13, Page 6: 1-04-713.19.11, Page 7: 1-04-713.19.25 Page 7: After six pages in praise of God, the text here provides an encomium of the Prophet Muhammad headed by a gold panel which should have included the title dar na't-i rasul (in praise of the Prophet). The last two lines of poetry on this page extol the Prophet's miraculous ascension to the heavens (mi'raj): One night he sat (on his flying steed Buraq) and passed through the heavens. / In majesty and grandeur, he exceeded the angels. / So impulsive, he urged (his steed) into the plain of closeness (to God) / While Gabriel remained behind him at the Lote Tree (of the Limit) This copy of the Bustan may have been produced in India during the 17th century. The back of the second page (1-04-713.19.15) of this series includes a note supporting this provenance, as it states that the work was writ