ABU'L QASIM FIRDAWSI (D. AH 416/1025 AH): SHAHNAMASIGNED 'ABD AL-RAHMAN, NORTH INDIA, PROBABLY DELHI, DATED 17TH RAJAB AH 1225/18 AUGUST 1810 ADABU'L QASIM FIRDAWSI (D. AH 416/1025 AH): SHAHNAMASIGNED 'ABD AL-RAHMAN, NORTH INDIA, PROBABLY DELHI, DATED 17TH RAJAB AH 1225/18 AUGUST 1810 ADPersian manuscript on paper, 696ff., plus six flyleaves, each folio with 23ll. black nasta'liq arranged horizontally and on the diagonal in four columns with gold intercolumnar rules, text panel within gold and polychrome rules, catchwords, chapter headings in red nasta'liq, opening bifolio with gold and polychrome illuminated headpiece, 23ll. black nasta'liq reserved in clouds against a gold ground, margins with gold and polychrome floral illumination, identical headings introducing three subsequent sections, each section with a signature and date, chapter headings in red nasta'liq in gold illuminated cartouches, 60 illustrations marked with gold tabs, occasional marginal notations, later owner and library notes on flyleaves, red leather binding with gilt painted covers, the red leather doublures with gold medallion, in a grey presentation boxText panel 9 5/8 x 6in. (24.5 x 15.3cm.); folio 12 5/8 x 8 1/2in. (32.2 x 21.1cm.)This is a magnificent copy of the Shahnama created by a small number of highly skilled artists from the Mughal Court. The rich and vibrant colours, the mesmerizing use of gold and the heavy shaded facial features which are extremely expressive all point to a Delhi school at the beginning of the 19th century. Although based on the 17th century manner of illustration the artists have managed to combine their talent and knowledge of both Persianate and Mughal painting practices in the early 19th century, to create a real sense of emotion, action and three-dimensional perspective to each individual illustration. The patron of this work in unknown but it is clear that such a work would have been an extensive and time-consuming commission. The British took control of Delhi 1803 after which the Mughal Emperor ruled in name only. Artists working at this time were employed on a freelance basis, individually or in family ateliers, taking commissions from various patrons, whether Indian, British or Mughal. This copy of the Shahnama, the Persian national epic would have been such commission, perhaps ordered for presentation by one of the more illustrious servants of the British East India Company. Fifty five of the miniatures in the present copy appear to be by two distinct artists and a further five by an inferior hand. Delhi artists did not usually sign the miniatures, perhaps seeing themselves as carrying on the artistic tradition of the vanished days of Mughal glory. Our Shahnama’s illustrations are extremely similar and perhaps by the same artists who created the Princeton Shahnama (MSS., no. 57G).细节 ABUL QASIM FIRDAWSI (D. AH 416/1025 AH): SHAHNAMASIGNED ABD AL-RAHMAN, NORTH INDIA, PROBABLY DELHI, DATED 17TH RAJAB AH 1225/18 AUGUST 1810 ADPersian manuscript on paper, 696ff., plus six flyleaves, each folio with 23ll. black nastaliq arranged horizontally and on the diagonal in four columns with gold intercolumnar rules, text panel within gold and polychrome rules, catchwords, chapter headings in red nastaliq, opening bifolio with gold and polychrome illuminated headpiece, 23ll. black nastaliq reserved in clouds against a gold ground, margins with gold and polychrome floral illumination, identical headings introducing three subsequent sections, each section with a signature and date, chapter headings in red nastaliq in gold illuminated cartouches, 60 illustrations marked with gold tabs, occasional marginal notations, later owner and library notes on flyleaves, red leather binding with gilt painted covers, the red leather doublures with gold medallion, in a grey presentation boxText panel 9 5/8 x 6in. (24.5 x 15.3cm.); folio 12 5/8 x 8 1/2in. (32.2 x 21.1cm.) 来源 Dr Philip Bliss, Bodleian Librarian and antiquary, sold as part of his collection in 1858William Gott (d.1942), Bishop of Truro, with his Armorial bookplate and a pasted letter on last flyleaf describing its purchase from the Bliss saleAmbrose Cramer (d.1983)Charles D. Childs (d.1993) 注意事项 No VAT on hammer price or buyers premium.