Killing of Siyavush before Afrasyab Illuminated page from a - Lot 225

Killing of Siyavush before Afrasyab Illuminated page from a Shahnama (or Book of Kings) by Ferdowsi Ink, polychrome pigments and gold on paper India, Dehli, second half of 18th century Page size: 23.5 by 38.3 cm Provenance: Galerie Joseph Soustiel (1904-1990) he worked in the gallery on the bvd Haussmann in Paris from 1935 until 1983 This page illustrates an episode from the Book of the Kings in which we witness the murder of Siyavush son of Kay Kavus, who refused to betray his father following the advances of his stepmother, whom he spurned, and found himself executed by Afrasyab despite his innocence. His son Kay Khosrow will avenge him and restore his innocence. This page, with its gold-trimmed margins, has been partly repainted on the margins in polychrome and gold around the central image, with a fine quality of execution characteristic of the Dehli style. A fine nastaliq' calligraphy inscribed in golden clouds has been mounted on the spine.