Ancient Manuscript Review 210 : Antique Arabic Persian Calligraphy / Nasta'liq Khat ( 1226 AH = 1811 CE)

 

This leaf contains two distinct pages showing collection of Persian poetry and Calligraphic Exercises (Siyah Mashq / Bayaz) written in Nasta'liq script.

1. Top Sheet (Top Image)

• Format & Style: Written in diagonal columns with multiple floating verses (bayts) written at varying angles—a classic format for Persian album pages (muraqqa') or personal calligraphic exercise notebooks (bayaz).
  
  
• Script: Delicate Ottoman/Persian Nasta'liq.
  
  
• Seal: On the far-left side, it bears the circular Endowment Seal Stamp (Waqf Seal) of Sayyid al-Hajj Ahmad Hayasat, dated 1226 AH (1811–1812 CE):
  
  

  "هذا الكتاب مما وقف الفاضل المولى السيد الحاج أحمد حياصات – ١٢٢٦"

   

• Content: Persian poetic couplets (ghazal and rubai'at fragments) written in diagonal lines. Key recognizable Persian phrases include:
  
  
  • "خوشتر از ایام عشق ایام نیست..." ("There is no time sweeter than the days of love...")
    
    
  • "در دلم جز آرزوی وصل نیست..." ("In my heart, there is no desire other than union...")
    
    
  • "چو گل بپوشد..." / "ز عشق تو..." ("Like a flower covers..." / "From your love...")
    
    

2. Bottom Sheet (Bottom Image)

• Format & Background: Written on decorative marbled paper (Ebru) framed with an inner illuminated rule (jadwal).
  
  
• Script: Elegant Nasta'liq written in slanting diagonal text blocks (satar-e morakhab).
  
  
• Content: Persian lyrical poetry (Ghazaliyat) exploring mystical love, longing, and spiritual devotion. Key phrase fragments in the diagonal lines include:
  
  
• "طالب وصل تو شد جان و دلم..." ("My soul and heart have become seekers of your union...")
  
  
• "ای که از ناز..." ("O you who with grace...")
  
  
• "چون صبا بر تو گذرد..." ("When the morning breeze passes over you...")
  
  
• "غم عشق تو در دل دارم..." ("I hold the grief of your love in my heart...")

Transcription & Reading of the Seal

1. Central Inner Circle (Main Inscription)

The core inscription inside the central circle consists of 4 lines written in Naskh/Thuluth script:

• Full Reading:

  "هذا الكتاب مما وقف الفاضل المولى السيد الحاج أحمد حياصات"

  (This book is among the waqf endowment of the virtuous master, Sayyid al-Hajj Ahmad Hayasat.)

2. Outer Border (Upper Crescent / Circumferential Inscription)

The upper circular curve contains a pious formula and ownership/endowment text:

وقف لله تعالى على ..or وقف لله تعالى وحسبنا الله .

3. Date / Year Written

• Written Year: Look at the top-left segment inside the outer ring (just above the central circle on the left border). The numerals in Eastern Arabic digits read: ١٢٢٦ (1226 AH).

• Gregorian Equivalent: 1226 AH corresponds to 1811 – 1812 CE.