One such treasure is a small copy of the Persian poem "Khosrow and Shirin," written by Abd-Allah Hatifi (d. 1521), nephew of Jami.
The manuscript, dating back to approximately 1510-1520, contains five miniatures, executed in a style characteristic of the period. It is believed that the manuscript was copied and illustrated in Maverannahr, a territory controlled by the Shaybanids.
Although the beginning of the manuscript is lost, it possesses a rich history. It is known that Schefer acquired it in the Ottoman Empire, and in 1858-1859, it was owned by Sayyid Muhammad Shawqi. The pages of the manuscript preserve the impressions of five different Ottoman seals, attesting to its importance to various collectors.
Unfortunately, the faces of all the figures in the miniatures have been erased, apparently by an overly zealous owner.
This valuable manuscript, kept in the collection of Charles Schefer, is a unique testament to the history of Persian literature and art, as well as a reflection of the manuscript's journey through different hands and countries.
You can learn more about the topic in the book-album "Illustrated manuscripts from Mawarannahr in the collections of France" (Volume XXIX) in the series "The Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan".
The main sponsor of the project is the oilfield services company Eriell-Group.
