Lot 75
- 75
An illustrated and illuminated leaf from a manuscript of Amir Khosrow's Khamsa-i Dihlavi: Khosrow and Shirin Meet in a Hunting Pavilion, Persia, Safavid, Herat, circa 1610
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- ink gouache and gold on paper
gouache heightened with gold on paper, text in 4 columns above and below the painting, written in black nasta'liq script, the reverse with a heading in red ink and 24 lines of text, ruled in colours and gold
Condition
In reasonable overall condition, reverse with various paper repairs, a few small stains, 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
This illustrated leaf, once part of a dispersed copy of the Khamsa-i Dihlavi of Amir Khosrow (d.1325), relates closely to others produced during the period of Hussein Khan Shamlu, Khurasan's governer from 1598-1614. A number of manuscripts illustrated in Herat are known which have a particular style dedicated to Hussein Khan and his son and successor Hasan Khan (see B. Schmitz, 'Miniature Painting in Harāt, 1570-1640', New York University, 1981, pp.158-243).
An interesting feature of this painting is the Persian inscription in white thuluth script in the upper section of the painting which translates as "There is a Messiah’s inscription, in this old monastery that says: don’t despair because the outcome is joyful”. This inscription can also be found on a number of other paintings including an illustrated leaf attributed to Tabriz, circa 1540, from a manuscript of Nizami's poems in the Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris (published in F. Richard, Splendeurs Persans, Paris, 1997, p.153, no.105, illus. p.117).
The particular style of the Herat school of painting is exemplified in this miniature, with naturalistic ornamentation, willowy expressive figures, and elements stretching into the margins. For further illustrated works of Amir Khosrow, see B. Brend (Ed.), Perspectives on Persian Painting, Illustrations to Amir Khusrau's Khamsah, Routledge, Oxon, 2003.
An interesting feature of this painting is the Persian inscription in white thuluth script in the upper section of the painting which translates as "There is a Messiah’s inscription, in this old monastery that says: don’t despair because the outcome is joyful”. This inscription can also be found on a number of other paintings including an illustrated leaf attributed to Tabriz, circa 1540, from a manuscript of Nizami's poems in the Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris (published in F. Richard, Splendeurs Persans, Paris, 1997, p.153, no.105, illus. p.117).
The particular style of the Herat school of painting is exemplified in this miniature, with naturalistic ornamentation, willowy expressive figures, and elements stretching into the margins. For further illustrated works of Amir Khosrow, see B. Brend (Ed.), Perspectives on Persian Painting, Illustrations to Amir Khusrau's Khamsah, Routledge, Oxon, 2003.