Anthology of Persian Poetry in Oblong Format (Safina)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite safina, or oblong anthology of Persian poetry, was created by the renowned calligrapher Sultan Muhammad Nur in 1499–1500 CE. Measuring just over eight inches tall and three inches wide, the compact manuscript was designed for portability, allowing its owner to carry verses by celebrated poets wherever they traveled. Its leather binding and delicate pages reflect the refined tastes of late Timurid court culture, just before the rise of the Safavid dynasty. Executed in ink, watercolor, and gold on paper, the safina showcases the luminous qualities prized in Persian manuscript traditions. Gold illumination highlights poetic headings and decorative elements, while the narrow format—reminiscent of a small boat—offered both practical elegance and visual harmony. Such anthologies served not only as literary collections but as treasured objects of contemplation and status. Today housed in the Metropolitan Museum’s Islamic Art department, this codex captures a moment when poetry, calligraphy, and painting converged to elevate the written word into an art form of profound cultural resonance.