Firdausi, Shahnama, the Book of Kings, with 12 illustrations North India, 18th-19th Century Persian manuscript on different-coloured paper, 218 leaves, incomplete, misbound, written in at least two hands, 25 lines to the page written in nasta'liq in black ink in four columns, intercolumnar rules in gold, inner margins ruled in gold, black and blue, headings in gold, red or left blank, 12 illustrations in gouache and gold, later half-calf rebacked in blue cloth 288 x 185 mm. Footnotes: Provenance By repute, formerly in the collection of A. C. Ardeshir. Private UK collection. The paintings depict: The daughter of Mahbud before Nushirvan before he orders her to be killed (from the reign of Nushirvan). The chess board is presented by the Indian envoy to Nushirvan (from the reign of Nushirvan). Buzurgmehr is called to explain how chess is played (from the reign of Nushirvan). Gav the Indian before the body of his brother Talhand, who had rebelled against him (from the reign of Nushirvan). The combat of Bahram-e Chubineh with Saveh Shah (from the reign of Hurmuz). Khusraw flees after Bahram-e Chubina's night attack on Khusraw's army (from the reign of Khusraw Parviz). Bahram-e Chubineh kills Kub, a commander of the Roman army (from the reign of Khusraw Parviz). Bahram-e Chubineh flees after being defeated by Khusraw's army (from the reign of Khusraw Parviz). Bahram-e Chubineh kills Muqatura, the Chinese hero (from the reign of Khusraw Parviz). The text is on Bahram-e Chubineh killing the Shir-e Kapi, a monster which had swallowed one of the daughters of the Chinese emperor and which Bahram-e Chubineh finally killed. However, the image does not go with the text. It could possibly represent the battle of Bahram-e Chubineh with the Chinese army, which leads to Muqatura being killed. Bijan kills Mahuy in revenge for killing Yazdgerd (from the reign of Yazdgerd). This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: • • Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing