Lot 205: A Persian Calligraphic Falcon, Depicting the Nada 'Ali Quatrain, 19th Century

This Islamic zoomorphic calligraphic artwork depicts a large bird, likely a falcon or eagle, formed entirely from dense black Arabic script with interspersed small, multicolored floral or leaf motifs. The bird is perched upon a decorative horizontal bar. Executed in ink and pigment on aged, light brown paper. Below the bird, two distinct red Arabic inscriptions are visible: the left reads ‘نَادِ عَلِيًّا’ (Nād `Alīyan), translating to ‘Call Ali, ‘ which is the beginning of the Nada ‘Ali quatrain. The right inscription reads ‘يا حسن’ (Yā Hasan) above ‘يا حسين’ (Yā Husayn), translating to ‘O Hasan’ and ‘O Husayn, ‘ significant Shi’a invocations.

With frame: Approximately 52 x 42cm