[PERSIAN MANUSCRIPT] SA'DI DI SHIRAZ (1210-1291). Extensive poetic anthology from Persian unbound manuscript on thin, laid and polished paper, containing an extensive anthology inspired by early complete works (Kulliyat) handwritten editions of the Persian poet Sa'di of Shiraz (1210 - 1291 CE). This manuscript has seemingly been realised in South-Western Persia, quite likely in Shiraz, at the peak of the Safavid period, i.e. between late-16th and early 17th century, under the first ruling years of Shah 'Abbas (r. 1588 - 1629 CE), possibly in the timespan 1575 - 1590. Comprised of 186 leaves overall [185+1 guard leaf]. Leaf dimensions: mm. 310 x 200 ca.; text mm. 200 x 120 ca.; Persian poetic text arranged on a 12-line to the page single column for prose sections and double column for metric (poetry) sections, penned in a beautiful Persian nasta'liq hand in colours (black for the main text, but also red or white for heading titles, as well as blue, although the latter is mainly employed to illuminate the headings' backgrounds). Two side-texts, one of them along the outer vertical margins of the innermost main text panel, the other one surrounding both mentioned texts completely. As of the decoration set of this manuscript, the written space is carefully subdivided into areas framed by golden bands embellished with black stylized arabesque patterns, while inner corners and side-text headings are inhabited by colourful buds, stems and flowers. Some opening leaves, as well as double leaves across the manuscript, highlight the poetry lines by letting them stand out against a burnished gold background, encompassed by the dandan-i mush ('mouse teeth')-style decor. This codex is embellished with 9 (10) beautiful miniatures, more precisely at ll.: 16v. (Courtly conversation); 38r. (Battling horsemen); 44v. (Sailing men); 59r. (Kushti wrestling competition fought at the crown prince's presence); l. 63r. shows coloured traces belonging to some formerly in loco miniature opposite that page (most likely with men on horseback or angels) that has been previously removed from the manuscript; 76v. (Man shaken off of his camel); 93v. (King giving a hearing); 105r. (Archers at a shooting competition); 118v. (Dying man in bed at the king's presence); and at l. 153r. (Younger woman hit by bearded man). The works of Sa'di are the following: from l. 1v. to 26v. we have a three-chapter-long compilation called Risalah-i Muhakat ('Treatise on Imitation'), followed by Sa'di's Gulistan ('Rose Garden', ll. 26v. - 71v.) as the main text. On the side of the main panel, some other titles emerge, such as the Kitab-i Mara'i, or 'Book of the Grievances', and the Kitab al-Tabi'at, as well as the Kitab al- Tarji'at (shorter metrical form), starting at l. 88v. as a marginal text). Moving on, at l. 162v., the Kitab al-Khawatim, or 'Book of Seals', while at l. 172r. the Muqatta'at ('Poetic fragments') find their place, surrounded by other minor and shorter texts, although among them stands out the Kitab-i Ghazaliyat-i Qadim, or 'Book of the fragmentary Ghazals', as well as an intriguing Kitab-i Muzahakat, or 'Book of Jokes' (l. 174v.), and the traditional Kitab-i Muzahakat (l. 174v.), as well as the Kitab-i Muzahakat (l. 88v. as marginal text. 174v.), and the traditional Kitab-i Ruba'iyat ('Book of the Quatrains'). This manuscript, albeit unbound, has been preserved in utterly good condition. Despite the fact that two leaves (179 and 180) have suffered major damage, including some text loss, l. 94 lacks its lower part and l. 116r. underwent disgraceful restoration in older times, the frequent and sumptuous illumination of full pages (e.g.: 1v., 2r., 107v., 127v, 142v., 172v.), as well as the generally higher quality of the manuscript's whole decorative system provide us with good evidence of the fact that this codex has been commissioned by the Persian high nobility of the time, possibly even from within the princely house. A complete essay is available upon request.