- 211
Khusraw returning from the battle of Isfahan and voyaging in search of Golrokh, Sultanate, second half of 15th century
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- gouache heightened with gold on paper
leaf from a Persian manuscript, gouache heightened with gold on paper, 8 lines to the page above and below the painting in 2 columns, reverse with 19 lines of text with heading in red
Literature
Philip Bamborough, Treasures of Islam, Poole, 1976, p.58
Condition
In fair overall condition, repairs to leaf edges, slightly rubbed, silver oxidised, 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
The manuscript from which this leaf originates has been attributed over the years to Sultanate India, Timurid Persia, and occasionally to Turkey. There is certainly a strong link to fifteenth-century Persian painting in style and format, a topic which has been discussed by B.W. Robinson and others (see Robinson 1991; Fraad and Ettinghausen 1969). The text here is from Farid al-Din Attar's Khusraw-nameh, a mystical romance involving Khusraw, son of the emperor of Rum, and Gul, daughter of the king of Khuzistan. A Sultanate manuscript of the Ni'mat-nameh from Mandu of circa 1495-1505 in the British Library has a very similar naskh script to the present folio, which also includes vocalisation of a similar nature (India Office Collections, Ms.149, see Losty 1982, no.41, p.67, pl.XII), as does a copy of the Sharafnameh dated 1531, made for the Sultan of Bengal also in the British Library (Or.13836, see Losty 1982, no.44, pp.68-69, pl.XV).
Three leaves from this manuscript were formerly in the Stuart Cary Welch Collection and were sold in these rooms 12 December 1972, lots 175-177, the latter sold again 9 July 1979, lot 194. Others leaves have been sold in these rooms 28 April 2004, lot 50, and at Christie's, 16 October 1980, lot 55, 13 April 2010, lot 70 and 6 October 2011, lot 118. The present miniature is unique among the known group in having a miniature that extends outside the text area into the margins.
Three leaves from this manuscript were formerly in the Stuart Cary Welch Collection and were sold in these rooms 12 December 1972, lots 175-177, the latter sold again 9 July 1979, lot 194. Others leaves have been sold in these rooms 28 April 2004, lot 50, and at Christie's, 16 October 1980, lot 55, 13 April 2010, lot 70 and 6 October 2011, lot 118. The present miniature is unique among the known group in having a miniature that extends outside the text area into the margins.