Arabic manuscript on paper, 39 leaves plus 4 fly-leaves, 7 lines to the page written in naskh in black ink with interlinear Persian translation in red nasta’liq, ruled in blue, red, green and gold, the margins with gold  interlacing flowers, headings written in red against a gold ground, f.1b and 2a with a fine carpet page decorated with gold nasta’liq against a blue ground within cartouches against a fine ground decorated with vine scrolls, in green leather binding with gilt decoration

In good condition, some leafs loose but complete, minor smudges and traces of restoration to the pages affecting mainly the inside border, the opening carpet pages in very good condition, the binding with minor scratches, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Ahmad al-Nayrizi was one of the most prolific calligraphers of the Safavid period. Born in Nayriz in Fars, he studied calligraphy under Muhammad Ibrahim ibn Muhammad Nasir Qumi, also known as Aqa Ibrahim Qumi (active between 1659 and 1707). Al-Nayrizi later moved to Isfahan and became the court calligrapher during the reign of Shah Sultan Husayn (r.1694-1722). The lavish carpet page with a dense pattern of interlacing vine scrolls is almost identical to that found in a prayer book dated 1132 AH/1719 AD in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (inv. no.2003.239 ), attributed to Muhammad Hadi.

Muhammad Hadi (d.ca. 1771) was one of the most famous illuminators of the Safavid period, responsible for the borders of the St Petersburg muraqqa' (for a note on the album see lot 94). The motif of fruit-bearing vine scrolls is typical of the region of Kashmir and found in several media, from lacquer to metalwork. Muhammad Hadi’s master, ‘Ali Ashraf, used it often in his work (see for example a lacquer mirror case now in the National Museum of Scotland decorated with a similar scrolls (Ekhtiar 2011, p.274).