Exploring NYC
Following the success of the Hamburg workshop, Ilse and Theresa set off for New York City to continue their research on manuscripts at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Theresa looking at the art of paper cutting and the Nan wa Halwa (MET 1999.157)
After a day of sightseeing—complete with a boat tour, a stroll through Central Park, and a visit to Times Square—they began a productive week delving into manuscripts adorned with beautifully decorated margins. Their research covered stencilled and marbled papers, and Theresa was particularly excited to examine a folio from the Panj Ganj, the very manuscript she had recently discussed in her presentation.
Ilse showing the stencils of a Diwan manuscript
Ilse, meanwhile, uncovered fascinating details in a Diwan manuscript featuring stencilled and colored paper. Theresa also added further case studies to the database, focusing on folios with Deccani marbling and a notable manuscript of ʿĀmilī‘s Nan wa Halwa (Bread and Sweets). Particularly intriguing were the signed paper cuts, which sparked new research interests for the team.
Theresa & Ilse working at the MET and the NYPL
When not immersed in manuscript work, they explored the MET’s extensive collections or visited the New York Public Library to plan their upcoming research trip to India—stay tuned for more updates!