Two leaves from an illustrated Deccani manuscript, naskh, c.1575

Source: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/search/LotDetail.asp?sid=&intObjectID=4160840&SE=CMWCAT04+117752+320299359+&QR=M+1+192+Aqc0000900+107583++Aqc0000900+&entry=india&SU=1&RQ=True&AN=193
(downloaded Sept. 2003)

"THE ARCHANGELS ISRAFIL AND JIBRAIL. Deccan, Bijapur or Golconda, circa 1575. From a manuscript of Aja'ib al-makhluqat, gouache heightened with gold on paper, the Archangel Israfil shown blowing a trumpet, with lines of text in black naskh above and below, the archangel Jibrail inscribed above in blue and gold. Text area 10 x 7½in. (25.4 x 19.1cm.)

Provenanc: Col. Tanden, Hyderabad, 1973

Lot Notes: These are from a manuscript which appears to be directly copied from a fourteenth century Arab, probably Mesopotamian copy of the Aja'ib al-Makhluqat. The proportions and positioning of the figures are very similar. For an earlier version of the archangel Israfil see Ettinghausen, Richard: Arab Painting, Geneva, 1977, p.178. Other paintings from the present manuscript are published among others by Binney, Edwin 3rd.: Indian Miniature Painting from the Collection of Edwin Binney 3rd, Mughal and Deccani School, Portland, Oregon, 1973, no.126, p.152; Tandan, R. K.: Indian Miniature Painting 16th through 19th centuries, Bangalore, 1982, fig.5 and Sotheby's London, 27 March 1973, lots 62-64."