An illustrated and illuminated leaf from a manuscript of Firdausi's Shahnameh: Yazdgerd, the sinner (bezeh-kar), the brother of Bahram, enthroned, Persia, Qazwin, Safavid, last quarter 16th century

gouache and ink heightened with gold on paper, 7 lines to the page above and below the painting, written in nasta'liq in black ink within 4 columns, ruled in gold, red and black, the reverse with 25 lines to the page in black nasta'liq, two headings in red and blue on gold illuminated panels

painting 23.4 by 18.8cm.

leaf 35.5 by 24.1cm.