File:A manuscript copied for the Aqquyunlu Sultan Ya'cub 1478-1490; al-Risala al-Sharif, copied by 'Abd al-Rahim al-Ya'cubi, probably Tabriz, 4 September 1473.jpg

English: AL-RISALA AL-SHARIF

COPIED BY 'ABD AL-RAHIM AL-YA'CUBI, PROBABLY TABRIZ, 10 RABI' II AH 878/4 SEPTEMBER 1473 AD

Arabic and Persian manuscript on cream paper, 7ff. with 10ll. per folio, the Arabic text in gold nasta'liq, the Persian translation in smaller black nasta'liq, part of the text written on the diagonal, gold floral illumination highlighting text, opening folio with later illuminated heading, illuminated shamsa with dedication to the Aqquyunlu Sultan Ya'qub, final folio with colophon signed by the calligrapher 'Abd al-Rahim al-Ya'qubi and dated 10 Rabi' II 878, margined with coloured paper with stencilled designs of animals, birds and plants highlighted with gold, later maroon tooled morocco binding Folio 11 3/8 x 7¼in. (28.7 x 18.7cm.); text area 6½ x 4in. (14.6 x 8cm.)

The scribe 'Abd al-Rahim Khwarazmi was a royal scribe at the court of the Aqquyunlu Sultan Ya'qub, 883-896 (1478-90). His pen name was Anisi (after anis or companion of the Sutan), but he often signed himself Sultani or Ya'qubi. He also served under Sultan Rustam and signed himself 'Abd al-Rahim Rustami.

Bayani, M.: ahval va asar-e khosh-nevisan, vol.II, Tehran, 1346, sh., pp.384-8. Minorsky, V.: Calligraphers and Painters, A Treatise by Qadi Ahmad, son of Mir Munshi, translated from the Russian, Washington, 1959, pp. 100-1.

Sultan Ya'qub was the son of the most famous of the Aqquyunlu rulers, Uzun Hasan. At their capital, Tabriz, a distinguished tradition of literary and cultural patronage was established.