SAFAVID IRAN, LATE 16TH/EARLY 17TH CENTURY

Details

NIZAMI (D.1209 AD): KHUSRAW WA SHIRIN AND LAYLA WA MAJNUN
SAFAVID IRAN, LATE 16TH/EARLY 17TH CENTURY
Persian manuscript on paper, 145ff. plus five fly-leaves, each with 19ll. black nasta'liq script in two columns within a border of marginal notes written diagonally between gold outlined spandrels, gold and black ruled divisions, similar gold and coloured margins, headings in white on illuminated panels, opening bifolio with gold clouds between the lines of text and illuminated heading above, another similar at start of second section, colophon at end of first section in second hand, eight gouache and gold illustrations to the texts, incomplete at end, in original brown morocco binding with red and gold stamped medallion, red leather doublures

Text 6 3/8 x 3 ½in. (21.2 x 8.8cm.); folio 10 3/8 x 5 ¼in. (26.3 x 13.2cm.)

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Lot Essay

The text is illustrated with eight miniatures which can be dated to circa 1600. They include Khusraw suprising Shirin bathing, Farhad carrying Shirin on her horse, Layla visiting Majnun in the wilderness, Majnun at the Ka'ba, Majnun lamenting on Layla's grave, etc.

The colophon at the end of Kitab Khusraw wa Shirin bears the date of Muharram AH 932/November 1525 AD but is probably added later.

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