A dragon emerging from its lair, signed by Murtaza Quli Shamlu, Persia, Safavid, mid-17th century

ink heightened with gold on paper, laid down on an album page with plain green outer margins ruled in colours and gold

This fluid and lively dragon is signed by Murtaza Quli Shamlu, who is recorded by Karimzadeh as a commander at the court of Shah Suleyman (r.1666-94) with the post of 'sword holder' and governor of Qom (see Mohammad Ali Karimzadeh Tabrizi, The Lives & Art of Old Painters of Iran, vol.3, London, 1991, pp.1144-45). Four works by him are recorded, but only one is dated (1064 AH/1653-4 AD). A further drawing by Murtaza Quli Shamlu, a lion chained to a post, was sold in these rooms 2 May 1977, lot 95