signed by artists Salim and Muqim

These leaves are from a known manuscript of the Shahnameh, formerly in the collection of Octave Homberg (1876-1941), which was sold in Paris in 1931 (Sale, Paris, Galerie Georges Petit, Collection de Octave Homberg, 3-5 June, 1931, no. 103) and subsequently dispersed. The original manuscript was apparently a compilation of extracts from some of the most recognised epics in Persian literature including the the Shahnameh, the Faramouznameh; the Bahman Nameh and the Nariman Nameh. We can also understand from the original catalogue entry that the miniature included 85 paintings and a decorated frontispiece, with some signed by the artists Mohammed Muqim and Mohammad Salim. The present two leaves include one painting by each of these notable artists, who have signed their names accordingly: 'Iskander Slaying the Dragon' by Salim and 'The Death of Sohrab' by Muqim.

Two single leaves, each with an illuminated miniature depicting a scene from the Shahnameh, from an illuminated manuscript, in Farsi, one signed by Salim and the other by Muqim, each leaf c. 195 x 120 mm (text-blocks 170 x 100 mm; text in four columns, lines of black nasta'liq appearing above and below each miniature, leaves a ittle age-tones, lightly rubbed; mounted, framed and glazed, various auction labels and inscriptions to versos.