A folio from Hafiz-i Abru's Majma al-Tawarikh, Persia, Herat, circa 1425-26

gouache heightened with gold on paper, 24 lines to the page written in black naskh script, significant words picked out in red 

In generally good overall condition, remargined, minor smudges and creasing, 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."

This leaf originates from the famous illustrated copy of Hafiz-i Abru's Majma al-Tawarikh ('Universal History'). It was commissioned by the Timurid ruler Shahrukh and is a history of the world from its beginning to the middle of Shahrukh's reign (1405-47), encompassing Biblical, Iranian, Islamic and Chinese history. The work was based on Rashid al-Din's Jami' al-Tawarikh, a universal history written for the Mongol ruler Ghazan. The aim of the work was to legitimise the ruling dynasty by giving it a sound historical pedigree. The dispersed copy from which this leaf comes bears the library seal of Shahrukh himself, and was therefore presumably copied and illustrated under his instructions (Canby 1998, pp.28-30).

Illustrated leaves from this manuscript are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; The David Collection, Copenhagen; the collection of Prince and Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan; the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin; the Boston Museum of Fine Arts; the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Cleveland Museum of Art. A further leaves from this manuscript were sold in these rooms 7 October 2009, lot 28; 8 October 2008, lot 37; 12 October 2005, lot 27, and at Christie's 25 April 2013, lot 90 and 92, and 13 April 2010, lot 67.