Hadiths with Persian Paraphrase (recto and verso), Colophon (verso), folio 11 from a Manuscript of the Forty Hadiths by Jami 1552

Editor: Here we have a manuscript page, “Hadiths with Persian Paraphrase,” made by Sultan Ahmad Haravi. I find the calligraphy striking, but what’s equally compelling is the framework around the text itself. What do you see in this work? Curator: I see the means of production front and center. The arrangement and labor are key. It’s not just about the message, but the act of carefully inscribing and framing these words that holds meaning. How does this connect with the consumption of religious texts in its social context? Editor: That’s interesting, I hadn’t considered it that way. It’s like the process is as important as the content itself. Curator: Exactly. The value lies not only in the sacred text but also in the dedicated labor and material choices involved in its creation and intended distribution. Editor: I'll remember to look closer at the material and labor next time. Thanks!