An illuminated page from Vajid Ali Shah's divan of Urdu poetry, 1856

Source: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/search/LotDetail.asp?sid=&intObjectID=4685092&SE=CMWCAT03+89736+%2D1490283046+&QR=M+1+84+Aqc0000900+74876++Aqc0000900+&entry=india&SU=1&RQ=True&AN=85
(downloaded Mar. 2006)

"WAJID 'ALI SHAH OF AWADH (R. 1847-56 AD), PEN-NAMED AKHTAR: DIWAN. AWADH, NORTHERN INDIA, DATED 1 MUHARRAM AH 1276/31 JULY 1856 AD. Poetry, manuscript on cream paper, 192 ff. plus 2fl, each with 11ll. of black nasta'liq in two columns, in clouds reserved against gold ground, the margins illuminated with a variety of vegetal designs in gold, green and red, illuminated headpiece with heraldic design of confronted mythical figures in gold and polychrome, in black morocco binding with gold stamped decoration, binding slightly scuffed, flyleaf with library stamp. Folio 13¼ x 8in. (33.5 x 20cm.)."