A royal exercise in calligraphy, Fath 'Ali Shah Qajar, early 1800's

Source: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/search/LOTDETAIL.ASP?sid=&intObjectID=4272406&SE=CMWCAT03+656453+%2D754657781+&QR=M+1+0+Aqc0000900+624632++Aqc0000900+&entry=india&SU=1&RQ=True&AN=1
(downloaded Apr. 2004)

"CALLIGRAPHIC EXERCISE COPIED BY FATH 'ALI SHAH QAJAR, EARLY 19TH CENTURY. Black ink on paper, 4ll. of strong black nasta'iq within gold clouds, signed mashq Fath 'Ali Shah Qajar, laid down on card with coloured margins illuminated with floral meander. Folio 14¾ x 11in. (37.6 x 28cm.)

Lot Notes: Fath 'Ali Shah's interest in the Arts extended to writing poetry and to practising calligraphy. Another calligraphy signed by Fath 'Ali Shah is illustrated in Falk, T. ed.: Treasures of Islam, Geneva, 1985, no.176, p.189."