Two warriors in combat, Persia, Isfahan or Qazvin, Safavid, late...
ink drawing on paper heightened with colours and gold, laid down on an album page with inner gold-sprinkled cream borders and outer borders of creme paper decorated with bold gold floral motifs
drawing: 9.1 by 18.5cm.
album page: 23.2 by 35.7cm.
Condition Report:
The drawing remains clear overall with some minor rubbing to the pigments, as shown in the illustration. The miniature with minor discolouration, mainly to the edges. A repaired crease-line or repaired tear to the lower left corner. The margins with some very small wormholes, reinforced by the card backing. The reverse plain with pen inscriptions 36/24 and a sticker to the upper left corner. As viewed.
Catalogue Note:
As his horse stumbles, a warrior falls from the saddle with his foot still stuck in the stirrup, rendering him almost defenceless against his attacker. In the process his turban has tumbled from his head and lies on the ground and he has no chance to draw his sword, bow and arrow or dagger. The man on the left, meanwhile, has wrapped a length of cloth round his left hand to protect it from any potential blows from his opponent and wields his sword high above his head as he prepares to strike his fallen foe. This lively drawing is skilfully and delicately rendered and compares favourably with several related drawings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (see Swietechowski and Babaie 1989, nos.8, 9, 18).
Provenance:
Sotheby's, London, 27 March 1973, lot 222
Sotheby's, London, 13 October 2004, lot 16
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ink drawing on paper heightened with colours and gold, laid down on an album page with inner gold-sprinkled cream borders and outer borders of creme paper decorated with bold gold floral motifs
drawing: 9.1 by 18.5cm.
album page: 23.2 by 35.7cm.
Condition Report:
The drawing remains clear overall with some minor rubbing to the pigments, as shown in the illustration. The miniature with minor discolouration, mainly to the edges. A repaired crease-line or repaired tear to the lower left corner. The margins with some very small wormholes, reinforced by the card backing. The reverse plain with pen inscriptions 36/24 and a sticker to the upper left corner. As viewed.
Catalogue Note:
As his horse stumbles, a warrior falls from the saddle with his foot still stuck in the stirrup, rendering him almost defenceless against his attacker. In the process his turban has tumbled from his head and lies on the ground and he has no chance to draw his sword, bow and arrow or dagger. The man on the left, meanwhile, has wrapped a length of cloth round his left hand to protect it from any potential blows from his opponent and wields his sword high above his head as he prepares to strike his fallen foe. This lively drawing is skilfully and delicately rendered and compares favourably with several related drawings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (see Swietechowski and Babaie 1989, nos.8, 9, 18).
Provenance:
Sotheby's, London, 27 March 1973, lot 222
Sotheby's, London, 13 October 2004, lot 16
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
