An illustration from a manuscript of Jami's Yusuf va Zulaykha: Yusuf After Bathing in the Nile, Bukhara, mid-16th century

gouache heightened with gold on paper, ruled in colours and gold with flowers within black-ground cartouches in the border, top left of painting with a panel of nasta'liq calligraphy in two lines against a foliated ground, trimmed outer margins with gold scrolling flowers

"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 lively painting can be closely compared to another illustration of the same period of Yusuf bathing in the Nile in the British Library (see B.W. Robinson, Persian Paintings in the India Office Library, London, 1976, p.181, no.904). A further comparable Bukhara version of the same scene exists in a manuscript of Yusuf-o Zuleykha formerly in the Kevorkian and Art and History Trust Collections, and sold in these rooms 23 April 1979, lot 160 (see Soudavar 1992, pp.212-3, no.80b).