Ardeshir's envoy appears before the Khaqan of China, illustr - Lot 143

Ardeshir's envoy appears before the Khaqan of China, illustrated folio from a manuscript of Abu Tahir Tarsusi's Dastan-I Qiran Habashi, Central Asia, Bukhara, signed Lachin Kalmaq, 17th century Gouache, ink and gold on paper, the enthroned Khaqan surrounded by two dignitaries granting an audience in his tent to Ardeshir's envoy kneeling before him, a severed head at his feet. In the background, an encampment of colorful tents. Artist's signature Lachin Kalmaq below the envoy's knees, framed in gold. The painting framed with 5 lines of text, its reverse copied with 25 lines in Persian black ink in nasta'liq characters. Dim. folio: 33.5 x 20.2 cm; dim. miniature: 22 x 15 cm Stains, tears, consolidations, paint chips, repaints. Provenance : Christie's South Kensington sale, October 11, 2013, lot 679.