THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN AFRASIYAB AND MANUCHIR

TIMURID OR SAFAVID IRAN, CIRCA 16TH CENTURY

Details

THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN AFRASIYAB AND MANUCHIR
TIMURID OR SAFAVID IRAN, CIRCA 16TH CENTURY
A folio from the Shahnama of Firdawsi, opaque pigments heightened with gold on paper, four columns of black nasta'liq to the front and reverse
12 ¾ x 8in. (32.4 x 20.4cm.)

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Lot Essay

This miniature painting depicts a famous scene of struggle for power, a frequent theme in the stories of the Shahnama. Manuchihr, the king of Iran, accepts the sword of Afrasiyab, the last king of Turan, who has conceded after a long struggle between the two lands. Afrasiyab is subsequently killed. Particularly striking is the stark contrast between the muted yellow and green colours and subtle movement of the autumn leaves of the large tree in the background, and the tumultuous scenes of struggle between Manuchihr’s and Afrasiyab’s men in the palace, set in a vivid and colourful foreground.

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