QAJAR IRAN, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Details

ABU'L-QASIM FIRDAWSI (D. AH 416/1024 AD): SHAHNAMA
QAJAR IRAN, EARLY 19TH CENTURY
With parts of the Bahmannama and the Faramurznama interpolated, Persian manuscript on paper, 610ff. plus two fly-leaves, each folio with 25ll. of black nasta'liq divided into four columns with headings in red, text panel set red, blue and gold rules, 26 contemporaneous illustrations, the opening bifolio fully illuminated surrounding nasta'liq in white clouds reserved against gold ground, the left hand folio detached and pasted into the back of the manuscript, in later red morocco with black morocco doublures, misbound, some folios lacking
Text panel 10½ x 6in. (26.5 x 15.3cm.); folio 14½ x 9¼in. (36.7 x 23.6cm.)

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Lot Essay

The illustrations in the manuscript include:
1. Bahram Gur kills a dragon in India
2. Scene from an interpolated epic: The King Purasp is killed in battle by Azar Barzin
3. Scene from an interpolated epic: Rustam-e Tur wounds Pars
4. Rustam kills his brother Shaghad before dying in the pit
5. Ardashir kills Harith, son of the King of Syria

8. Scene from an interpolated epic
9. Scene from an interpolated epic (probably the Bahmannameh)
10. Rustam shoots Isfandiyar
11. Isfandiyar defeats Gurgsar
12. Battle between the Iranians and the Turanians
13. Kaykhusrau fights Shida
14. Kaykhusrau assembles the nobles in preparation for war with Turan
15. Gudarz kills Piran
16. Combat between Fariburz and Gulbad
17. Bizhan and Human face each other
18. Scene from an interpolated epic: Rustam kills Barkhiyas Div
19. Bizhan hunts the wild boar
20. Bizhan hunts the wild boar
21. Rustam lassoes Akvan Div
22. Rustam kills Gahar-e Gahani
23. Rustam and the Khaqan of Chin
24. Rustam defeats Kamus-e Kashani
25. Faramarz kills Surkha in battle
26. The fire ordeal of Siyavush

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