Zulaykha Looks at Yusuf’s Prison with A Sorrowful Heart (painting recto; text verso of folio 100); illustrated folio from a manuscript of Yusuf and Zulaykha by Nizami

The manuscript opens with an illuminated sarlawh (heading) above the text. The margins of the double-page frontispiece are decorated with gold floral drawings and large illuminated cartouches. The text is copied in nastaʿliq in two columns and 15 lines on gold sprinkled paper. The text panels are remargined on various colored papers. There are ten paintings. The dark and reddish brown leather binding is decorated with a gilt-stamped inlaid center and corner pieces and cartouches on the border. The edges have been repaired at some point. The inside covers are plain olive green leather.