Verses on perceived value

Persian verses on perceived value written by calligrapher Muhammad Mahdi Husayni in nasta'liq script, from 19th-century Iran or India. Dimensions of Written Surface: 21.3 (w) x 13.2 (h) cm Giram ka sarirat az bulur u yashm ast / Sangi danad har an ka ura chasm ast / In masnad-i qafum u samur u sanjab / Dar dida-yi buriya nashinan pashm ast I suppose your throne is made of crystal and jasper / Everyone who has an eye knows that they are just stone / That seat made from weasel and ermine (and with) a banner / To those who sit in wicker is but skin The calligrapher Muhammad Mahdi Husayni states that he has written these lines (tahrir namud) on unpolished (bi-muhra) paper in the year 1252/1836-7, and also asks forgiveness for his sins. As he notes, the paper he has used is not of high quality, neither is the gold background he has used to highlight the verses executed in black nasta'liq script framed by cloud bands. Although Muhammad Mahdi Husayni remains unknown, he seems to have been a calligrapher in nasta'liq script active in 19th-century Iran or India. This calligraphic fragment includes a Persian poem that describes how luxury goods like semi-precious stones and furs are devoid of any inherent worth. Beginning with an invocation to "God, the Glorified" (huwa al-mu'izz), the verses read: Script: nasta'liq 1-04-713.19.23