Near East, Persian Empire, Islamic culture, ca. 19th century CE. A stunning pair of illuminated manuscript pages, each featuring five lines of Arabic script and a beautifully painted figural scene embellished with lustrous gilding and hues of teal, crimson, navy, orange, olive, yellow, powder blue, brown, white, and black. Both skillfully-painted scenes display lone male figures, each seated on one knee and nobly dressed in a dark landscape with swirls of clouds in the distance and hints of orange, indicating that it is either sunrise or sunset. The young man of the first page faces right, while playing an oud along a pebble path. He is accompanied by several birds, notably a parrot on his knee and a crane to his right. Size of page (both the same): 5.5" W x 9.5" H (14 cm x 24.1 cm); Size with frame (both the same): 13.25" W x 15.5" H (33.7 cm x 39.4 cm)

Alternatively, the male figure of the second page faces left, placing both hands on a heavily jeweled, golden staff as he sits beside a house, presumably in a garden as he is surrounded by bushes of flowers and trees. Similar to the other man, he too is friendly with the local wildlife and is joined by two rabbits and a crane. Both of these gorgeous examples are set in a lovely modern frames.

Provenance: ex-Gomez collection, Colorado, USA

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#145236

Both have not been examined outside of frames. Pages from larger codices. Some miniscule tears and very minor losses to peripheries of both. Expected staining to paper. Otherwise, both are excellent with impressive remaining pigments. Fit with modern frame. Nicks to periphery of frame.