Description:

TWO SEATED LOVERS IN THE WILDERNESS, 18TH CENTURY, ZAND DYNASTY
Persia, 18th century

Description:
Ink, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper; this finely executed Zand-era miniature depicts a tender scene of two lovers seated in an intimate embrace beneath a flowering tree, surrounded by rocky outcrops and lush vegetation. The figures, dressed in flowing robes, are rendered with expressive linework and delicate shading. Their closeness and calm expressions evoke a poetic stillness typical of Persian romantic imagery. Vessels and a tray of sweets are carefully arranged before them, further enhancing the idyllic setting. The folio is richly framed with marbled borders in tones of blue, violet, and ochre, enclosed by a deep green inner margin.

Dimensions:
29 x 22cm

Comparable examples:

  • Sotheby’s, London, Arts of the Islamic World, 1 May 2019, Lot 39, Persian miniature of lovers in a landscape, Zand period, £6,500 

  • Bonhams, London, Islamic and Indian Art, 11 June 2020, Lot 62, romantic scene in a wilderness setting, 18th century, £5,355 

  • Christie’s, London, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 27 October 2022, Lot 107, Zand school miniature of an embracing couple, £7,560 

Note:
The Zand period is noted for its lyrical visual style and revival of Safavid romantic motifs. Scenes of lovers in nature reflect the influence of Persian poetry, especially works by Saʿdi and Hafez, where love and the natural world are deeply intertwined. This work exemplifies the sensitivity and softness characteristic of Zand painting, offering both emotional depth and artistic elegance

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

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£100 £199 £10
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£500 £999 £50
£1,000 £1,999 £100
£2,000 £4,999 £200
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£10,000 £19,999 £1,000
£20,000 £49,999 £2,000
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£100,000 £199,999 £10,000
£200,000 £499,999 £20,000
£500,000 £999,999 £50,000
£1,000,000 + £100,000