Page of Calligraphy from a Mantiq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds) 1575 - 1625

This page of calligraphy is a section from a manuscript of Farid al-Din `Attar’s Mantiq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds), a 13th-century Sufi allegory. The page is laid out in a grid, with each square containing verses written in a flowing, elegant script. The text is framed by a delicate border, and the page features delicate floral motifs in the upper section. This intricate artwork highlights the beauty and artistry of Islamic calligraphy, which played a vital role in the transmission of knowledge and the expression of spirituality. The page is a testament to the long-standing tradition of manuscript illumination in Persia and the enduring influence of Sufi literature.