Bahran Gur in the blue pavilion, manuscript on paper [Safavid Persia (probably Shiraz), c. 1560 AD]

Bahran Gur in the blue pavilion visiting the princess, leaf from Hasht-Behesht of Amir Khusraw, illuminated manuscript on paper [Safavid Persia (probably Shiraz), c. 1560 AD] single leaf, ink and gouache on paper, heightened in gold, depicting a full-page miniature of Bahram in the blue pavilion, seen sitting with the princess with musicians in the foreground, attendants and other rooms of the palace also in view, reverse with text in four columns, 19 lines fine black nasta'liq, some very small areas of fading or minor chips to pigment, some small areas of restoration, outer edges of leaf a little darkened and worn, total 273 by 162 mm.; in modern card mountProvenance: From a private Swiss collection in the 1960s, then apparently exhibited at the Institute du Monde Arabe, Paris in 2001: pencil inscription inside the mount.Illustration: A visually spectacular example of this iconic scene from Amir Khusraw's epic poem Hasht-Behesht (The Eight Heavens). The rich shades of blue and turquoise are championed in this depiction of the pavilion through intricate geometric mosaic patterns and carpets throughout.