An Illustrated manuscript of Nizami's Khamsa, copied by the scribe Mustafa, India, Mughal, circa 1620-30

Persian manuscript on gold-sprinkled paper, 354 leaves, 21 lines to the page in 4 columns, separated by narrow double intercolumnar gold rules, written in small and neat Nasta'liq script in black ink, headings in red ink, ruled in colours and gold, remargined, six headpieces illuminated in colours and gold in vegetal motifs, some small areas extended later, the pages with headpieces decorated with gold scrolling flowers in the margins, 17 finely executed miniatures, 18th century Indian black leather binding with covers of applied composite gilt floral onlay, red leather doublures, paper label on spine with titles in Persian 

From the Library of Nathaniel Middleton (Agent at Lucknow, circa 1780, where Middleton probably acquired the manuscript), with his engraved bookplate bearing his titles in Persian (Nathaniel Middleton Rukn-ud -Daula Mukhtar Al-Mulk Masr Jang Bahadur) and the date 1191 AH/1777 AD.

The Booksellers Payne and Foss. Loosely inserted in the manuscript is a letter dated 13 January 1810 to Payne from Sir Gore Ouseley, giving his opinion that 'it is worth at least 45 to 50 Guineas'.

Robert Lang, (1750-1828); his sale, Evans, 17 November 1828, lot 1948.

Sir Thomas Phillipps Bt. (1792-1872), MS.3665; sale at Sotheby's 27 November 1974, lot 685.

In very good overall condition, a few small losses to the gold borders on the binding, miniatures and text clean throughout, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present manuscript, which combines a distinguished provenance with extraordinary condition, contains the five stories of Nizami's Khamsa, consisting of the three romances Khusraw wa Shirin, Layla wa Madjnun and the Haft Paykar (the Seven Princesses), the Makhzan al-Asrar (the Treasure of Mysteries) and the Iskandarnama (the story of Alexander the Great). The manuscript includes seventeen miniature paintings, sixteen of which are finely executed in a sub-imperial Mughal style of 1620-30. Manuscripts illustrated in this way are not currently well documented but it is possible that they were produced in Agra. Varous pages from a shahnama which are stylistically comparable to this manuscript were formerly in the Binney Collection and can now be found in the San Diego Museum (see E. Binney, Indian Miniature Painting, Oregon, 1973, nos.37 and 39).   

The subjects of the miniatures are as follows:

1. Khosrow sees Shirin bathing in a stream (11 by 9.8cm).
2. Khosrow enthroned with ladies and courtiers (10 by 9.8cm).
3. Shirin visits her lover Farhad on Mount Behistun (14.3 by 9.8cm).
4. Layla on a terrace with ladies (8.2 by 9.8cm., 18th century addition)
5. The Battle of the Clans (11.6 by 9.8cm).
6. Majnun seated in the wilderness with his animals (10.7 by 9.8cm).
7. Bahram Gur hunting with his mistress and explaining his prowess (9.9 by 9.8cm).
8. The slave girl Fitna carrying the fully grown calf to the roof (14.3 by 9.8cm).
9. Bahram Gur with the Indian princess in the Black Pavilion (7.5 by 9.8cm).
10. Bahram Gur with the Moorish princess in the Golden Pavilion (10.9 by 9.8cm).
11. Bahram Gur with the Tartar princess in the Green Pavilion (9.9 by 9.8cm).
12. Bahram Gur with the Slav princess in the Red Pavilion (9.2 by 9. 8cm).
13. Bahram Gur with the princess of Khwarazm in the Blue Pavilion(10.2 by 9.8cm).
14. Bahram Gur with the Chinese princess in the Sandalwood Pavilion (8.4 by 9.8cm).
15. Bahram Gur with the Greek princess in the White pavilion (7.6 by 9.6cm).
16. The battle between the Greeks and the Persians (16 x 9.6cm).
17. Alexander presented with a slave girl by the Emperor of China (17.7 by 9.7cm).