Zargar Isfahani

Zargar Isfahani, Muhammad Hashim (b. 1797), son of Muhammad Salih Lu’lu’i. A calligrapher well-known as Zargar, he was one of the most distinguished calligraphers writing in the Naskhi script. He was well-known throughout Muslim lands and was even eulogized by his contemporary poets for his calligraphy. He is regarded on a par with ‘Abd al-Majid Darwish in writing the Shikasta script. His works include: a half quarter copy of the Qur’an with glossy covers, the two opening folios with headings and jewel-studded margins, written in exquisite, small Naskhi and Riqa’ scripts, with the signature note: ‘I am a servant … Muhammad Hashim al-Sa’i’ al-Isfahani, in the year … 1758’; a calligraphic piece in exquisite, large Naskhi and elegant Riqa’, with the signature note: ‘Written by the servant … Muhammad Hashim al-Isfahani, in 1776’; a copy of Sahifa Sajjadiyya, prayer-mat size, with glossy covers, the first two folios with headings and the text inlaid with jewels, jewel-studded head-piece in Riqa’ and the body of the text in exquisite, small Naskhi and elegant, small Shikasta and Nasta’liq, with the signature note: ‘son of Muhammad Salih Lu’lu’i Muhammad Hashim al-Isfahani … 1797’; a calligraphic piece in elegant Shikasta Ta’liq, with the signature note: ‘Written by the humblest servant son of Muhammad Salih, Muhammad Hashim.’

Asar-afarinan (3/ 157).

Zargar Isfahani, Muhammad Hasan Husayn (d. 1844/1853), a poet with the nom de plume Zargar, who resided in Isfahan. He was a goldsmith by profession and composed masterly ghazals. Mu’tamid al-Dawla is eulogized Manuchihr Zargan in his Mada’ih-i Muhammadiyya. His ghazals and divan of poetry have been published.

Asar-afarinan (3/ 157-158).