Persian manuscript on paper, 353 leaves plus 4 fly leaves, 21 lines to the page, written in neat nasta’liq in black ink within 4 columns, ruled in gold, titles in blue against a ground of polychrome and gold foliage, gold and polychrome opening double page frontispiece, 5 gold and polychrome headings at the end of each section, 13 miniature paintings, in brown stamped Persian binding

Christie's, London, 28 April 1992, lot 104.

In good condition, probably incomplete, the margins are clean and with very minor notes, two later replaced leaves (f.50 and 149), the paintings in good condition, with minor losses to the colour, some flaking and minor rubbing, but maintaining brightness, the opening bifolium re-margined, with losses to the colour and minor rubbing, some restorations to the paper, later ownership and seals, the binding in restored but in good condition, 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."

The style of the paintings as well as the opening bifolium are closely comparable with a Khamsa now in the Al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait (LNS 28 MS) (Persian Painting, p.290), dated 893 AH/1487-88 AD and another Khamsa sold in these Rooms, 11 December 1968, lot 149, dated 904 AH/1498-99. An interesting of this manuscript is the choice of scenes represented, especially in the fourth book, the Haft Paykar. Rather than the usual depiction of Bahram meeting the princesses in the pavilions, the miniatures represent episodes told by the princesses to Bahram (see, for example, the illustration on f.204b and f.209b).  

The illuminated headings appear as follows:

F.1a: Makhzan al-Asrar  

F.30b: Khusraw and Shirin

F.108b: Layla and Majnun

F.162b: Haft Paykar (also known as Bahramnama)

F.223b: Sharfanama

F.308b: Iqbalnameh

The illuminated headings appear as follows:

F.24a: the story of a cruel king

F.92b: Shirin visits Khusraw

F.154b: Layla finds Majnun outside her tent and they swoon upon meeting

F.177a: Bahram enthroned after having killed and taken the crown from the lions

F.181a: Fitnah carries the ox upstairs being watched in amazement by Bahram

F.204b: Prince Mahan consulting a sage

F.209b: Prince Khayr seated in a landscape with his minister and the daughter of the king after having cured them of their ailments

F.235a: Iskandar hears of the arrival of the Zangi army

F.241a: Iskandar kills the Zangi King

F.252a: Iskandar fights Dara’s army

F.261b: Iskandar sleeping with Hushanak, daughter of Dara

F.286a: Iskandar observing the painting competition between the Roman and Chinese painters

F.292b: Iskandar mounted and armed with his troop

The name Muhammad ibn ‘Aziz al-Targhashi (?) is unrecorded and interestingly the date is only present at the end of the first book. An ownership seal on the last page reads kalb-e 'Ali abi Taleb 1052 (1052 AH/1642-43 AD) and another gives the name Muhammad Ja'far.