Lot 18
PORTRAITS OF THE PERSIAN POETS FIRDAUSI, HAFIZ, KHAYYAM AND SAADI
BY HUSAYN TAHER-ZADEH BEHZAD (IRAN, 1887-1962)
Auction: 10 December 2025 from 14:00 GMT
Description
with four cusped and pointed cartouches containing portraits of the poets with their identifying inscriptions, the central portrait of Zarathustra, the interstices decorated with floral and gold illumination, signed the by the artist below centre in the outer border in black ink, verso with German writing mentioning the artist and poets, framed and glazed
Dimensions
27.8cm x 15.5cm
Provenance
Private UK collection, as part of an inheritance.
Footnote
Husayn Taher-zadeh Behzad (1887–1962) was a prominent Iranian painter and carpet designer, distinct from his near-contemporary Husayn Behzad, a well-known miniaturist. Born in Tabriz, Taher-zadeh Behzad pursued his artistic education in Istanbul, where he was influenced by both Persian and Ottoman styles.
After returning to Iran in 1929, he became known for his significant contributions to state art projects during the Pahlavi era. His most notable works include murals and decorative paintings in the Marble Palace (Kakh-e Marmar) and the Sa'dabad Palace in Tehran, which were part of the modernisation and beautification efforts under Reza Shah Pahlavi.
Paintings by the artist have sold at Bonhams, Islamic and Indian Art, 9 June 2015, lots 48 and 49.