• RUSTAM LASSOES THE KING OF SHAM 1576 - 1577
  • Handicrafts and classics, miniature
  • 31.3 * 45.9 cm
  • BY SIYAVUSH, QAZVIN, SAFAVID IRAN, 1576 OR 1577
    An illustrated folio from the Shahnama of Firdawsi made for Shah Isma'il II, opaque pigments heightened with gold on paper, four columns of black nasta'liq above and below, ascribed to Siyavush on lower right corner, within gold and polychrome rules, reverse with 22ll. of nasta'liq, flanked by a column of 20ll. of nasta'liq written on the diagonal, a repaired tear to lower right, overall good condition
    Painting 10 x 7 7⁄8in. (26.7 x 20cm.); text panel 15 3⁄8 x 9 1⁄4in. (39.2 x 23.4cm.); folio 18 1⁄8 x 12 3⁄8in. (45.9 x 31.3cm.)
Estimation
£80,000
105,291 USD
- £120,000
157,936 USD
Realized Price
£441,000
580,416 USD
341%
Artwork Description


With the playful colours, dynamic landscapes and immense rock formations of daring shades the viewer is immersed in to the world of Persian mythology depicted in our folio. The scene shows Rustam lassoing the King of Sham (Syria). This event took place as part of the rescue by Rustam of Kay Kavus from the King of Hamavaran. Rustam, heading the Persian forces, was called upon to defeat the combined armies of the shah of Hamavaran - who through treachery had captured the Persian shah, Kay Kavus - and his allies, the shahs of Sham (depicted here), and Berber. After fierce fighting, Rustam captured the allied kings and the shah of Hamavaran asked for peace. In this battle scene, depicted with liveliness and verve, Rustam, identifiable by his tiger-skin coat (left foreground) appears to be lassoing the shah of Sham. The shah of Sham (right) has fallen off his horse and is bending forward on his knees, grabbing on to his lasso as he is being pulled by our hero. This dynamic scene is further strengthened by the clever way Siyavush has illustrated the two majestic horses, facing opposite ways and bursting out of the margins (for a detailed account see Warner and Warner, Shahnama of Firdausi, vol. II, 1909, pp. 95-98).
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Artist Performance at Auctions

Realized Price 69,501 USD
Min Estimate 36,463 USD
Max Estimate 54,751 USD
Average Artwork Worth
+87.283%
 
Average Growth of Artwork Worth
Sales Performance Against Estimates
Average & Median Sold Lot Value
2018 - 2022
Performance vs. Estimate
2018 - 2022
Sell-through Rate
2018 - 2022