Divan of 'Ali Shir Navai, frontispiece, and the... Lot 49

Divan of 'Ali Shir Navai, frontispiece, and the Queen of Sheba carried by divs Iran, Safavid period, Shiraz, ca. 1530-1540 Double-sided manuscript page on paper. On the front: half-scene frontispiece painted in polychrome and gold representing the Queen of Sheba in a palanquin carried by a black div towards King Solomon who would have been represented on the half-page facing him. They are flown over by two Simurghs, and surrounded by many animals. Verso: frontispiece of a div of 'Ali Shir Navai, written in Chagatai Turkish, the sarlowh illuminated with palmettes and blue and gold arabesques. Text in nasta'liq on two columns. Attached is a drawing painted on a manuscript leaf, in the manner of the 17th century Safavid drawings in the style of Mu'in Musavvir, depicting a young man kneeling at the feet of a woman in a green dress. Condition: heavy wear, especially on the side of the miniature, and small tears. 19 x 11.5 cm