Product Description
XVI Century Miniatures Illustrating Manuscript Copies of the Works of Jami from the USSR Collections. USSR (Moscow): Советский Художник, 1966. Text in both Russian and English. Color illustrations throughout the book. Hardcover with dustjacket in a clear protective jacket cover. Book size 13"x7". Text about fine, jacket is worn with edge wear both front and back and chip at spine and top of spine. No ownership marks. 1 copy only.
Miniature painting in Persia and central Asia reached its zenith in the 16th century. Humorous and instructive folk tales and stories from everyday life were a favorite topic, and these rich detailed paintings are beautifully reproduced in full color images. The poet Yusef looks in wonder into a mirror which he received as a gift from a friend who had traveled to Canaan. Epic poems which are well-known in Persian-Tadjik literature, such as Layla and Mejnun, are depicted in fine detail, as well as Sufi 'whirling' dervishes, a feast in a garden, a herdsman guarding his goats while a graceful young girl watches, and a betrothal ceremony with twin sugar loaves that are set before each guest to symbolize the betrothal rite. All of these miniatures - about 100 in all - are taken from manuscripts in various collections in Russia. An armchair traveler's delight.
