An illustrated leaf from a manuscript of Firdausi’s Shahnameh: Rustam...

gouache with gold on paper, text above and below the miniature in five columns of nasta‘liq script written horizontally and diagonally in black ink, reverse with a full page of text in five columns, one illuminated heading panel with the title of this episode (kashtan rustam div safid ra) in white nasta‘liq, paper of text areas gold-sprinkled
painting: 25.5 by 20.6cm.
leaf: 29.4 by 23.2cm.

Condition Report:
The leaf is clean overall, with minor losses to the pigments, as shown in the illustration. There is a repair to the left side of the painting, more visible to the reverse to the leaf, with associated restoration to the tree and parts of the yellow and pink demons to the left side of the scene. Losses to the pigments of the illuminated heading to the reverse. Several scattered small wormholes, some of which have been filled. The margins of the leaf have been cropped. As viewed.

Provenance:
Sotheby's, London, 30 April 2003, lot 29