An artful gift inspired by The Met collection. In the early 16th century, Iran was united under the great Safavid dynasty (1501-1722). The Safavids actively supported the book arts, and manuscripts from this period are noted for their exquisite calligraphy, illuminations, paintings, and bindings. A splendid manuscript (1524-25) from a Khamsa(quintet) by the Persian poet Nizami (present-day Azerbaijan, 1141-1209), now in the Museum's Islamic art collection, informs the magnificent details on this pen.