Lot 76: A SET OF SIX JUDEO-PERSIAN ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT LEAVES, 19TH CENTURY

A set of six individual illuminated manuscript leaves featuring hand-painted miniatures and calligraphic text in both Hebrew and Arabic/Persian scripts. The leaves are executed in ink, gouache, and gold flecking on handmade paper, reflecting the artistic style of Qajar-era Persian provincial illumination produced for the Jewish community. The subject matter depicts biblical and mythological narratives rendered with traditional Persian iconographic elements, such as the flaming gold aureole representing prophetic status. One leaf illustrates the Parting of the Red Sea, with a prophet figure holding a staff and leading followers away from pursuing Egyptian chariots engulfed in waves. Another leaf shows Moses, identified by a flaming halo and the Tablets of the Covenant, addressing a seated assembly. A further scene features a prophet figure with a flaming aureole surrounded by various animals, birds, and fish under a starry sky with gold flecking. A marine scene depicts a figure with a fish-like tail receiving a scroll from a winged angel, set against a dark blue sea. An interior palace scene shows two women, one seated on a golden throne and another standing, suggestive of the story of Esther or Joseph and Zuleika. A mythological scene portrays a large winged bird, possibly the Simurgh or Anqa, carrying a figure above warriors battling a serpent. The leaves contain Hebrew block script, such as ‘ה ל ת י ח ז י ו ת ת מ י ת ח ז ו’ and ‘ויזות תזור תר-נא בן-רות תיך ואת’, alongside lines of Arabic or Persian script in Nasta’liq or Naskh hands. One example of Arabic script reads ‘قوم ان يرغبوا عما جاء هم به نيتهم الماجاء به غير نيتهم فنزلت قل كفى بالله’. Another leaf contains Arabic text stating ‘وقال للنبي في التنازع لهذان في الغيبي د…’. The reverse of the leaves shows further columns of text in black and red ink.

29 by 19cm