Description:

 AN ILLUMINATED & ILLUSTRATED SAFAVID BIFOLIO FROM A SHAHNAMEH, 17TH CENTURY, PERSIA
Safavid Persia, 17th century

Description:
A masterfully illuminated and illustrated bifolio from a 17th-century Safavid manuscript of Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh (Book of Kings), the iconic Persian epic. The recto features a royal court scene with a richly adorned enthroned figure surrounded by courtiers, attendants, and advisors. The architectural detailing, vibrant palette, and fine brushwork are exemplary of Isfahan school miniature painting.

The verso showcases a meticulously written page of Persian poetry in fine black nastaʿliq script, arranged within a complex calligraphic layout bordered with panels of delicate floral illumination and geometric detailing. The composition is framed with multiple gold and lapis rulings, enhancing its luxurious presentation.

Measurements:
30 x 24 cm

Comparable examples:

  • A Shahnameh bifolio, Isfahan school, 17th century, sold at Christie’s, London, 28 October 2021, Lot 42, for £27,500.

  • An illustrated leaf from a Shahnameh, Persia, 17th century, with similar architectural detail, sold at Bonhams, London, 29 March 2022, Lot 56, for £18,750.

  • A royal court scene from a Safavid Shahnameh, with poetic calligraphy in gold borders, sold at Sotheby’s, 25 October 2017, Lot 19, for £20,000.

Note:
This bifolio beautifully exemplifies the aesthetic and literary grandeur of Safavid manuscript production, blending visual storytelling with the poetic majesty of Ferdowsi’s epic. Its combination of royal iconography and finely illuminated calligraphy marks it as a significant piece of Persian artistic heritage.

 

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May 6, 2025 1:00 PM BST
London, United Kingdom

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