Lot 16
A QAJAR ILLUSTRATED MANUSCRIPT OF IBN HUSAM KHUSFI'S 'KHAVAR-NAMA' ('THE BOOK OF THE EAST')
PERSIA, DATED AH 1259/ AD 1833-4
Auction: 10 December 2025 from 14:00 GMT
Description
Persian manuscript in black ink on polished laid paper, nasta'liq script, text in 4 columns with 24 lines to the page, rubricated headings, illustrated with an illuminated floral headpiece to first page and 34 illustrated folios in gouache depicting the deeds of ‘Ali ibn ’Abi Talib and his companions (mainly 6 x 15cm to 11.5 x 15cm, one larger, 17 x 16cm, one full-page, 22 x 15cm), text within concentric red and gold frames with columns ruled in red, contemporary floral lacquer binding, rear board partly detached, damp-staining around ff. [55]-[65], a few damp-stains elsewhere
Dimensions
folio 31cm x 20.5cm
Footnote
One of the oldest religious epics in Persian literature, the Kavar-nama recounts the imaginary exploits of the fourth caliph and first Shi'i imam ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib during his travels through the infidel ‘Lands of the East’ (‘Kavar-zamin’), which he brings under the sway of Islam. Originally written in the early 15th century CE, the work is stylistically indebted to the Shah-nama of Ferdowsi. This is a fine copy with as many as thirty-four illustrations.