March 26, 2009
Persian Poetry Manuscript, illuminated for a wealthy Qajar Patron
Persian Poetry Manuscript, decorated for a wealthy Qajar Patron, Iran (Esfahān). Dated AH 1206/1792. FOLIO., 152 x 80 mm., text panel 120 x 55 mm. Four Colophons. A magnificent manuscript, each folio with very fine black shikasteh in clouds set against a gold ground, polychrome illuminated headpiece, 6 (SIX) exquisite full page miniatures of very high quality, minor repairs, a few panels separating from respective folios, overall in VERY GOOD condition. [$28,000]
One illumination depicts the famous story of Sheikh Sanan, who abandons the ascetic path because of his suddenly overwhelming love for a Christian woman, along with the accompanying verse by Vahshi Bafqi. [Ref: for Sheikh San’an paintings of the Qajar period see the article by Afsaneh Najmabadi in L. Diba, Royal Persian Paintings, The Qajar Epoch 1785-1925, New York, 1998, pp. 83-5.] Two of the colophons give the scribe’s name as as Ali Ashgar Hamadani. His recorded works are very rare; including a copy of the Kulliyat (poems) commissioned for Aqa Muhammad Khan for his nephew Baba Khan, the future FatH ‘Ali Shah. Also, see the “interlinear Persian translation in nasta’liq is ‘Ali Ashgar al-Mutarjim (the translator), son of the deceased Hajji Muhammad al-Hamadani.” in the Qur’an, Isfahan Christies Islamic art and manuscripts 10 October 2000, lot 20: realized price £32,900
