Dimensions of Written Surface: Verso: 14 (w) x 25 (h) cm

Script: nasta'liq

This fragment includes an excerpt from Sa'di's (d. 691/1292) Bustan (The Fruit Orchard), in which he offers advice (nasihat) to a ruler. The author counsels a king not to worry about what he does not have, because all things come to an end. He also notes that good deeds matter, as only a man's reputation and memory remain. Sa'di's text continues on the fragment's verso (1-86-154.140 V), as evidenced by the similar subject matter and the continuation of the catchwords (makun takiyah) in the lower left corner of the recto.

The calligraphic fragment is executed in black nasta'liq script in horizontal and diagonal lines on a beige folio decorated with polygonal motifs highlighted in gold. Various text panels are framed by simple borders, creating a complex web of verses in a quilt-like pattern. The text panel is framed by several borders and pasted to blue paper decorated with flower and medallion motifs painted in gold. The folio's layout and style are typical of works produced in Safavid Persia (Iran) during the 16th century.

The number 24 appears in the lower right corner of the text panel, while the number 25 appears on the fragment's verso. These numbers suggest that these two calligraphic fragments belonged to a larger work, either a more complete copy of Sa'di's Bustan or an album of calligraphies.

The verso of this fragment also includes an excerpt from Sa'di's Bustan in which he offers advice to a ruler. It continues the text on the fragment's recto, as noted by the similar subject and the catchword in the recto's lower left corner (1-86-154.140 R). The verses here read:

Makun takiyah bar mulk u jah u hasham / Ka pish az tu bud ast u ba'd az tu ham / Khudavand-i dawlat gham u din khurad / Ka dunya bi-har hal mibiguzarad / Nakhwahi ka mulkat barayad bi-ham / Gham-i mulk u din khurd bayad bi-ham

Don't lean on rulership, glory, and (your) retinue / Which were there before you and (will be there) after you. / The Lord of Government has to pay attention to religion / Because the world certainly will end. / If you don't want your kingdom to disappear with it, / Then be aware both of power and religion, as they go together.

Here, Sa'di warns a ruler that he must respect both earthly power (mulk) and spiritual affairs (din), as they complement each other. Much like God (khuda) supervises religious well-being, the king too, as "Lord of Government" (khudavand-i dawlat) must administer wisely.