This item has been added to the Database within the Explore Islamic Art Collections project. Information is available in: English, Arabic.

Name of Object:

Prince Baysunghur's Gulistan

Location:

Dublin, Ireland

Holding Museum:

The Chester Beatty Library

About The Chester Beatty Library, Dublin

Date of Object:

Hegira 830 / AD 1427

Museum Inventory Number:

CBL Per 119

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Coloured pigments and gold on paper

Dimensions:

24.8 x 15.4 cm

Period / Dynasty:

Timurid

Provenance:

Afghanistan, Herat

Description:

Composed in the thirteenth century by the poet Sa‘di, the Gulistan (‘Rose Garden’) is a series of anecdotes that focus on social and ethical issues. The manuscript was produced for the Timurid prince Baysunghur, and the calligraphy is the work of the calligrapher Ja‘far, who was the head of Baysunghur’s atelier. In about AD 1430, Ja‘far wrote a report recounting the activities of the artists and craftsmen employed in the prince’s workshop. This copy of the Gulistan, which is thought to be one of the manuscripts mentioned in the report, is an exquisite example of the beautifully illustrated and illuminated manuscripts produced under the careful guidance of Baysunghur, who was himself a fine calligrapher.

Link to catalogue/digitisation in Holding Institution’s database:

https://viewer.cbl.ie/viewer/image/Per_119/1/LOG_0000/

Citation of this web page:

 "Prince Baysunghur's Gulistan" in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers, 2026.
https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;ir;Mus21;21;en

MWNF Working Number: IR 21