Lot 83
83
AN ILLUSTRATION TO A PERSIAN EPIC
AN ILLUSTRATION TO A PERSIAN EPIC
1 More
This lot is offered without reserve. PROPERTY FROM A DISTINGUISHED PRIVATE COLLECTION
AN ILLUSTRATION TO A PERSIAN EPIC

PROVINCIAL MUGHAL, POSSIBLY LAHORE, PRESENT DAY PAKISTAN, CIRCA 1725-50

Details
AN ILLUSTRATION TO A PERSIAN EPIC
PROVINCIAL MUGHAL, POSSIBLY LAHORE, PRESENT DAY PAKISTAN, CIRCA 1725-50
Opaque pigments heightened with gold on paper, depicting a soldier carrying a mace presenting a severed head to a king when he awakes, as a dragon breathing fire sits on the side, within blue border
Painting 15 ¼ x 10 3/8in. (38.6 x 26.5cm.); folio 16 x 11 ½in. (40.6 x 29.3cm.)
Provenance
Bonhams, London, 14 October 2004, lot 110
Special notice
This lot is offered without reserve.

Brought to you by

Louise Broadhurst
Louise Broadhurst
+44 (0)20 7389 2603

Lot Essay

The figures standing in three-quarter profile, with pointed moustaches and their eyes set closely together, can be compared with 18th century portraits from Hyderabad in the Deccan. The episode illustrated, although unidentified, finds comparison with several fantastical illustrations from a magnificent Mughal epic which sold in these Rooms, 10 October 2006, lot 113. Based on the Shahnama, the epic includes text and illustrations from the Garshaspnama and the Samnama, probably produced in Lahore and dated to the second quarter of the 18th century. It is very possible that the present painting was produced in the same atelier.

More from Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs and Carpets

View All
View All