An imperial copy of Hafiz's Diwan, signed by 'Inayatullah Shirazi, Persia, Safavid, dated 977 AH/1569 AD

An imperial copy of Hafiz's Diwan, signed by 'Inayatullah Shirazi, Persia, Safavid, dated 977 AH/1569 AD Persian manuscript on paper, 216 leaves plus 4 flyleaves, one leaf missing at beginning, 12 lines to the page, written in fine nasta'liq script in black ink on gold-sprinkled paper within 2 columns, blue intercolumnar rules, margins ruled in colours and gold, catchwords, headings in illuminated panels throughout, decorated with polychrome flowers against gold and blue grounds, f.1a representing one half of a double page illuminated frontispiece decorated with a rich interlace of polychrome flowers and chinoiserie cloud bands against blue and gold grounds, 3 further illuminated double page headpieces with scenes of animals and foliage decorating the outer margins, with text within cloud bands and interlinear interlacing flowers against a gold ground, red Ottoman leather binding with gilt-stamped cartouches and cornerpieces 26 by 17.5cm.