Persian manuscript folio, ink, colour and gold on paper, recto with a full page of text written in a small, neat nasta'liq hand in black, a colophon written in thuluth script in blue and red, verso with 16 lines of text and an illuminated heading in colours and gold

In reasonably good overall condition, some light creasing, a patch of waterstaining to the upper section, small marginal repair to lower left hand edge of reverse, illumination generally strong and bright, minor losses to leaf edges, 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 is a beautifully illuminated page from a manuscript of the Khamseh of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi. The recto bears the final page of text of the story of Shirin va Khusrau, and has a colophon signed by the scribe Bayazid al-Tabrizi al-Sultani. The verso is the opening page of the story of Majnun va Layla, with a finely executed illuminated panel containing the title in white Eastern Kufic script. The style of illumination in the heading can be compared to a manuscript of the Kalila wa Dimna copied at Herat in 833/1429 for Prince Baysunghur ibn Shah Rukh (Topkapi Saray Library, Istanbul, see Lentz and Lowry 1989, cat 21, pp.82-83, 110-111), and a copy of the Jami' al-Usul of Ibn al-Athir copied at Herat in 839/1435 (Chester Beatty🍌 Library, Dublin, see Lentz and L💟owry 1989, cat.101, pp.200-201).

Two notes in the hand of Basil Robinson on the mount of the present folio state:
"End of SHIRIN u KHUSRAW of AMIR KHUSRAW with colophon of BAYAZID AL-TABRIZI AL-SULTANI" 
"Beginning of the MAJNUN u LAYL꧒A of AMIR KHUSRAW DIHLAVI, c.143🍸0-40"