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Lot Essay
This folio and the two in the following lot are from a manuscript which has been attributed to Sultanate India based on the style of the figures, as well as similarities with the script of the late 15th century Ni’mat-nama in the British Library (IO Islamic 149). The square format and style of figures in the painting relates to four Shahnama illustrations made in India and dated to the second quarter of the 15th century (S1986.144; S1986.145, and S1968.146; National Museum of Asian Art, Washington DC). A copy of the Javami’ al-hikayat dated to 1438-9 in the British Library (Or.11676) also has square illustrations in a similar style, of which one (f. 46) has similar gold spandrels in the top corners to the painting of Khusraw and the daughter of Zangi in following lot from this sale. Both the British Library and Washington DC manuscripts have previously been attributed to Southern Iran which reflects the movement of artists from Tabriz, Shiraz, or Herat to the new ateliers of the Indian subcontinent under the patronage of the Delhi Sultans.
Three leaves from the present manuscript sold at, Sotheby’s London, 12 December 1972, lots 175-5. More recently folios have sold at Sotheby’s London, 28 April 2004, lot 50 and 9 October 2013, lot 211 and Bonhams London, 17 September 2014, lot 184. Further folios have also been sold in these Rooms, 16 October 1980, lot 55; 13 April 2010, lot 70; 6 October 2011, lot 118; and 27 April 2023, lot 59.
Three leaves from the present manuscript sold at, Sotheby’s London, 12 December 1972, lots 175-5. More recently folios have sold at Sotheby’s London, 28 April 2004, lot 50 and 9 October 2013, lot 211 and Bonhams London, 17 September 2014, lot 184. Further folios have also been sold in these Rooms, 16 October 1980, lot 55; 13 April 2010, lot 70; 6 October 2011, lot 118; and 27 April 2023, lot 59.