TIMURID SHIRAZ, IRAN, SECOND HALF 15TH CENTURY

When Kay Kavus and the Iranian army are captured captured by demons, Rustam travels to Mazandaran to rescue them. On the road he must complete seven labours, one of which - depicted in this lot - is slaying a dragon, a task he completes with the aid of his horse, Rakhsh. Though this is only a fragment of a larger composition, the level field and high horizon, as well as the form of Rustam's armour indicate a Shirazi attribution. Shahnama illustrations from the same period were sold at Christie's Paris, 9 June 2016, lot 252, and in these Rooms, 5 October 2012, lot 680.