* TWO SAFAVID-REVIVAL TINTED DRAWINGS
PROPERTY OF AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE EUROPEAN COLLECTOR
Qajar Iran, late 19th century, one dated 1281AH (1864)

Pen, pencil and ink on paper, heightened in gold, comprising a tinted drawing depicting a tall and slender youth against a romanticised landscape, holding a wine cup and flask, dressed elegantly and wearing a tall aigrette on his hat, the border with cartouches of black ink nasta’liq script quoting Jami’s mystical poem Tuhfat al Ahrar, part of his opera magna the Haft Awrang, within illuminated cloud bands, the composition inscribed Reza Abbasi, 1281AH (1864), laid on board and backed with a paper bearing an inscription in shikasteh nasta’liq regarding the ownership of a book, dated 9 Safar 1255AH(?) (24 April 1839), 20cm x 13.5cm, 28cm x 20cm including the stencilled mount; and another tinted drawing, depicting an elderly bearded thinker leaning on his cane in an idealised landscape, the outer corners enhanced with illuminated triangles, within red, blue and gold ruling, the verso with a calligraphic exercise in black ink in a variety of hands, laid on board, 17cm x 8cm, 25cm x 15cm including the mount.