Bidspirit auction | AN LLUMINATED PERSIAN MANUSCRIPT OF

AN LLUMINATED PERSIAN MANUSCRIPT OF FIRDOWSI’S SHAHNAMEH - Qajar Iran, dated 1257 AH / AD 1841–42, Mid-19th century AD . A fine Persian manuscript on paper, bound in gilt-decorated brown morocco with maroon borders, the text copied in elegant black nasta?l?q script with red diacritical punctuation and occasional rubrication. Comprising two columns per page, each within a ruled gold and black frame, and containing numerous marginal annotations and occasional interlinear notes. The illuminated double-page frontispiece features finely detailed floral arabesques in gold, pink, green and lapis, framing a scalloped central cartouche. Gilt floral borders decorate many of the pages, especially around the preface and main chapter openings, and several folios are enhanced with painted devices and floral scrolls in the margins. The scribe's colophon, near the final folios, dates the work to 1257 AH (AD 1841–42), firmly placing it within the Qajar period. Some leaves show signs of restoration, including replaced or reinforced corners, and one page retains a seal impression in faded ink. This is a complete copy of the Shahnameh of Firdowsi, the great Persian epic, whose tales of mythic kings, heroes, and moral battles formed the cornerstone of Persian literary tradition. The refinement of the calligraphy and decoration suggests a manuscript produced by a provincial atelier for a discerning patron, possibly for ceremonial or educational purposes rather than a royal commission. Size: 310mm x 190mm; Weight: 1.96kg Provenance: Previous property of a UK based Islamic art professional.