**Originally Listed At $300**

Indo-Persian Empire, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. Four captivating illuminated manuscript pages, each one featuring a finely painted image on handmade paper delineated with a brilliant color palette and an impressive level of detail, and three of the four contextualized by calligraphic script. The scenes presented include: a pair of lovers dancing in a verdant landscape; a royal on horseback processing amongst his loyal followers, one of whom is protecting him with a parasol; another royal procession before a white palace with blue skies above, the emperor sitting in a luxurious golden chair carried upon an elaborately adorned elephant, the empress in a similar golden carriage pulled by horses, both accompanied by men in turbans and festive long robes; and finally, a man being blessed by an elder with two groups of onlookers. A wonderful ensemble, replete with impressive artistry and intriguing iconography. Size of sight view (emperor & empress procession): 8.375" L x 4.5" W (21.3 cm x 11.4 cm) Size of frame: 12.5" L x 8.5" W (31.8 cm x 21.6 cm)

Miniature painting emerged in Persian art during the 13th century. Following the Mongol conquests, the genre displayed strong Chinese influence, and the tradition reached its peak during the 15th and 16th centuries. Persian miniature painting influenced other Islamic miniature traditions, including the Ottoman miniature created in Turkey as well as the Mughal miniature of India. Interestingly, Persian art - although under the influence of Islam - never completely forbade the inclusion of the human figure. Furthermore, the depiction of figures - oftentimes in groups - is a common practice in the miniature tradition. Scholars believe that this was because the miniature was used as a private form of visual culture. These images were usually kept in a book or an album and only shown to a select audience. For this reason, artists could be more free when creating miniatures than when creating wall paintings which were viewed by a wider audience. The Koran (Qur'an) and other religious texts were not illustrated in this way as a rule; however, other works of literature and histories at times included religious scenes.

Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s

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#172187

The two framed illuminated pages have not been examined outside the frames. Procession of emperor and empress: tape stains on glass, a few insect holes, expected age wear. Frame is very good. Lovers: Some waviness to paper. Painting is vivid. Frame shows surface wear with scuffs/abrasions/nicks. Water stains/tears to gallery paper on verso. The two matted illuminated pages show normal age wear with toning, some stains, waviness, and crease marks as shown. Mattes are backless and show age wear with fading, stains, and losses/abrasions to periphies.