- 190
An illustrated and illuminated leaf from the Tarikh-i ‘alam-ara-yi Abbasi of Iskander Bayg Munshi: the capture of Yerevan citadel, Persia, Isfahan, circa 1650
Estimate
7,000 - 10,000 GBP
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Description
- Gouache on paper
gouache heightened with gold on paper, a line of text at the upper and lower edge in nasta'liq script in black ink, laid down on an album page, reverse with 21 lines of text
Condition
In fair overall condition, colours vivid and illumination bright, laid down on an album page with aperture to view reverse, slightly rubbed, vertical tear to lower right quadrant, reverse slightly discoloured, some paint flaking, mostly to lead white pigment, 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
This illustrated leaf originates from a rare illustrated manuscript of the Tarikh-i 'alam-ara-yi 'Abbasi, the history of Shah 'Abbas by Iskandar Munshi. Few examples survive from such a manuscript, as unlike the Mughals and Ottomans, the Safavids tended not to produce lavish manuscripts of their own reigns and histories.
The leaf belongs to a group of paintings produced in Isfahan during the first half of the seventeenth century, some of which were previously thought to be Ottoman (see, for example, a group of leaves from a Timurnama of Hatifi in E. Binney, 3rd, Turkish Miniature Paintings and Manuscripts from the Collection of Edwin Binney, 3rd, Los Angeles, 1973, pp.126-7, nos.48a and b). Another similar illustration is in the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, from a manuscript of the Akhlaq-i Muhsini, dated 1640 (see Y.A Petrosian (ed.), De Bagdad à Ispahan: manuscrits islamiques de la filiale de Saint-Pétersbourg de l’Institut d’études orientales, Académie des sciences de Russie, exhibition catalogue, Musée du Petit Palais, Paris, 1994, no.46).
Iskander Bayg Munshi chronicled the reign of Shah 'Abbas, completing it in 1628-29. Many of the events described in the history he witnessed himself, in his post as a secretary in the royal chancellery.
The leaf belongs to a group of paintings produced in Isfahan during the first half of the seventeenth century, some of which were previously thought to be Ottoman (see, for example, a group of leaves from a Timurnama of Hatifi in E. Binney, 3rd, Turkish Miniature Paintings and Manuscripts from the Collection of Edwin Binney, 3rd, Los Angeles, 1973, pp.126-7, nos.48a and b). Another similar illustration is in the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, from a manuscript of the Akhlaq-i Muhsini, dated 1640 (see Y.A Petrosian (ed.), De Bagdad à Ispahan: manuscrits islamiques de la filiale de Saint-Pétersbourg de l’Institut d’études orientales, Académie des sciences de Russie, exhibition catalogue, Musée du Petit Palais, Paris, 1994, no.46).
Iskander Bayg Munshi chronicled the reign of Shah 'Abbas, completing it in 1628-29. Many of the events described in the history he witnessed himself, in his post as a secretary in the royal chancellery.