Lot 7A, ISLAMIC & INDIAN ART, 2 Apr 2009
AN ILLUSTRATED LEAF FROM A DISPERSED MANUSCRIPT OF FIRDAUSI'S SHAHNAMA (THE BOOK OF KINGS), PROBABLY DEPICTING RUSTAM RETURNING TO IRAN AFTER KILLING THE DIV AKVAN, MADE FOR QIWAM AL-DAULAH WA'L-DIN HASAN
Injuid Persia, Shiraz, circa 1341
Sold for £ 4,800 inc. premium

An illustrated leaf from a dispersed manuscript of Firdausi's Shahnama (The Book of Kings), probably depicting Rustam returning to Iran after killing the Div Akvan, made for Qiwam al-Daulah wa'l-Din Hasan.
Injuid Persia, Shiraz, circa 1341
Persian manuscript on paper, text written in 6 columns of an accomplished naskhi script in black ink, double intercolumnar rules in red, inner margins ruled in blue and red, headings in red and black thuluth script, some retouching to the red background, creased, waterstaining and crude repairs mostly restricted to outer borders, framed.
350 x 290 mm.

FOOTNOTES
This illustrated leaf originates from one of a small group of seven or eight manuscripts produced at Shiraz in the first half of the 14th Century. The miniatures are excellent examples of the Inju style of painting which is supposed to have derived from mural painting. The composition and style of the miniature can be compared to those of the Stephens Shahnama, which was produced before 1352.
Source: Bonhams