An illuminated frontispiece from a manuscript of Firdausi's Shahnameh and an illustrated leaf from a separate Shahnameh: the Battle of Bahram and Saveh Shah, Persia, Safavid, 16th century

gouache heightened with gold on paper, 4 lines of text in 4 illuminated columns above and below the painting, written in black nasta'liq script, ruled in colours and gold, outer margins with scenes of wildlife, reverse with 25 lines of text and 2 illuminated headings; frontispiece with elaborate headpiece composed of scrolling polychrome vines and split-palmettes, 17-25 lines to the page written in fine black nasta'liq script sprinkled with gold, 6 illuminated heading panels, catchwords

In good overall condition, colours and gold bright, as viewed.
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