- 70
An Illustrated and Illuminated leaf from a manuscript of Firdausi's Shahnama: Khosrow and Bahram conversing before the battle, attributable to Mu'in Musavvir, Persia, Safavid, second half 17th century
Estimate
7,000 - 10,000 GBP
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Description
- Ink, Gouache and Gold on Paper
Ink and gouache heightened with gold on gold-sprinkled paper, 8 lines to the page written in Nasta'liq script in black in four columns with double intercolumnar rules in gold, catchwords and headings highlighted in red ink, margins ruled in colours and gold, miniature depicting four figures on horseback in a hilly landscape with attendant courtiers, reverse with 25 lines of black Nasta'liq script
Condition
In good overall condition, leaf with some nibbles to edge, occasional wormholes, colours and gold bright, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
This leaf and that of the following lot both belong to a seventeenth-century manuscript of Firdausi's Shahnama sold in these rooms 18 April 2007, lot 19, which at the time lacked several pages.
The luxurious manuscript comprised thirty-nine miniatures which, like the present lot, were attributable to the great Safavid artist Mu'in Musavvir. The gifted Mu'in was one of the most prolific artists of the later Safavid period. Born in 1617 Mu'in flourished for 72 years, producing single page drawings and paintings in addition to several complete manuscripts.
As we can see in the present example, the style is typically Persianate, a characteristic of Mu'in, at a time when many of his contemporaries became increasingly influenced by European prints.
The luxurious manuscript comprised thirty-nine miniatures which, like the present lot, were attributable to the great Safavid artist Mu'in Musavvir. The gifted Mu'in was one of the most prolific artists of the later Safavid period. Born in 1617 Mu'in flourished for 72 years, producing single page drawings and paintings in addition to several complete manuscripts.
As we can see in the present example, the style is typically Persianate, a characteristic of Mu'in, at a time when many of his contemporaries became increasingly influenced by European prints.