Fight of Rustam and Kamus-e Kashani - Lot 205

Fight of Rustam and Kamus-e Kashani Illuminated page from a Shahnama (or Book of Kings) of Ferdowsi Ink, polychrome pigments and gold on paper India, Delhi, second half of the 18th century Sight page : 18.2 by 25.8 cm Provenance : Joseph Soustiel Gallery (1904-1990) he worked in the gallery of the bvd Haussmann in Paris from 1935 until 1983 This page illustrates an episode of the book of kings in which scenes of battle and singular combat occupy an important place. Here the hero Rustam, dressed in tiger skin, babr-e-bayan and wearing a feline head, lassoes Kamus-e Kashani. Characteristic of the Dehli style which was revived between the end of the eighteenth century and the beginning of the nineteenth, this painting has many fine details. The image is framed by the text in nastaliq' calligraphy on four columns and in framing nets.