Fourteen illustrated leaves from a manuscript of Firdausi’s `Shahnama’ , the calligraphic script probably 15th century, Iranian, in four columns with 25 lines per page, each with a later miniature painting, 19th century, Indian, painted in spaces left blank in the text, gouache on paper heightened with gilt, image 25 x 17cm, framed and glazed, one painted both sides (13) Provenance: Acquired by the vendor`s grandparents during their time in Pakistan in the 1960s, thence by descent. The thirteen detached leaves are taken from a Persian manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdausi, a work completed in Khurasan, Eastern Iran, c.1020 AD. The copy is in a fine calligraphic hand, probably of the 15th century, clearly written in Iran. The fourteen miniature paintings were added in India in the 19th century (one leaf has a painting on both sides), painted over spaces left blank in the text – they are not painted over the text, as sometimes occurred. The scene depicting Bahman giving a message to Rustam is in the style of the Iranian Qajar period (c.1797-1925) and was possibly done in Iran before the manuscript was taken to India. We are grateful to Professor Charles Melville for his assistance in the cataloguing of this lot. Condition Report See additional closeup and unframed images of the leaves for condition, they are very fragile with evidence of old bookworm throughout, warping, creasing, craquelure creases and tears to the paintings, discolouration and some foxing to the paper throughout (one appears to have aged to a different extent and may not date to the same period as the others), one figure`s face has been smudged (see photo), some smudges to script (photos), signs of old repairs. The frames have been taken apart for the leaves to be inspected and whilst every effort was made to reinstall them securely, some old fittings may need replacing and would warrant professional attention. Did not examine outside of the frames. Scenes included from the epic are: Kay Khusrau comes to Iran (events after the death of Siyavush): Afrasiyab meets Piran en route as he pursues Kay Khusrau fleeing Turan, recto; Kamus-e Kashani: Tus sees Siyavush in a dream, recto ; Kamus-e Kashani: Afrasiyab sends help to Piran, verso; Rustam and the Khaqan-e Chin: Rustam fights the cannibal Kafur, verso; Bizhan and Manizha: Rustam rescues Bizhan from the well, verso; Davazdah Rukh: Bizhan kills Human, verso; The Great War: Kay Khusrau replies to the envoy Jahn, verso ; The Great War: The execution of Afrasiyab, verso ; The Great War: Kay Khusrau advises the Iranians, verso; The Great War: Kay Khusrau disappears in a stream, recto; The reign of Luhrasp: Gushtasp kills a dragon, recto; The reign of Gushtasp: Isfandiyar kills Bidarafsh, recto; The reign of Gushtasp: Isfandiyar kills two wolves, verso; Bahman gives a message to Rustam, verso.