22nd Apr, 2026 12:00
Arts of India and the Islamic Lands
62
AN ILLUSTRATED FOLIO FROM A BAHAR-I-DANISH MANUSCRIPT (THE SPRINGTIME OF KNOWLEDGE)
North India, Delhi, c.1800
AN ILLUSTRATED FOLIO FROM A BAHAR-I-DANISH MANUSCRIPT
SHAYKH 'INAYAT ALLAH KANBU (D.1671), BAHAR-I DANISH (THE SPRINGTIME OF KNOWLEDGE)
North India, Delhi, c.1800
Full-page miniature painting, ink, gold, and natural pigments on paper, depicting an emperor receiving a messenger. The nobleman is shown seated on a golden throne set on a terrace atop a large floral carpet against a white background, entertained by two musicians and attendants. The painting is framed with multiple bands, the main one featuring gilded floral sprays on a cobalt-blue ground. The reverse is blank. A label on the verso provides information on provenance and confirms that this leaf comes from a specific Persian manuscript, dated 1215 AH (1799–1801 AD), produced in Delhi and sold by Sotheby’s London in 1969.
Bahar‑i‑Danish (‘The Springtime of Knowledge’) is a romantic narrative recounting the story of Jahandar Sultan and Bahravar Banu, composed by Shaykh Inayatallah Kanbu of Delhi around 1651, near the end of Shah Jahan’s reign.
For further example on the subject: A complete illustrated manuscript, dated 1805 AD, sold at Sotheby’s London, Arts of the Islamic World & India, 25 October 2023, lot 37.
Provenance: Acquired by the present owner from Joseph Soustiel.
Previously in the Rothschild Collection, sold in Paris, Palais Galliera, 1968.
Sold for £1,353
AN ILLUSTRATED FOLIO FROM A BAHAR-I-DANISH MANUSCRIPT
SHAYKH 'INAYAT ALLAH KANBU (D.1671), BAHAR-I DANISH (THE SPRINGTIME OF KNOWLEDGE)
North India, Delhi, c.1800
Full-page miniature painting, ink, gold, and natural pigments on paper, depicting an emperor receiving a messenger. The nobleman is shown seated on a golden throne set on a terrace atop a large floral carpet against a white background, entertained by two musicians and attendants. The painting is framed with multiple bands, the main one featuring gilded floral sprays on a cobalt-blue ground. The reverse is blank. A label on the verso provides information on provenance and confirms that this leaf comes from a specific Persian manuscript, dated 1215 AH (1799–1801 AD), produced in Delhi and sold by Sotheby’s London in 1969.
Bahar‑i‑Danish (‘The Springtime of Knowledge’) is a romantic narrative recounting the story of Jahandar Sultan and Bahravar Banu, composed by Shaykh Inayatallah Kanbu of Delhi around 1651, near the end of Shah Jahan’s reign.
For further example on the subject: A complete illustrated manuscript, dated 1805 AD, sold at Sotheby’s London, Arts of the Islamic World & India, 25 October 2023, lot 37.
Provenance: Acquired by the present owner from Joseph Soustiel.
Previously in the Rothschild Collection, sold in Paris, Palais Galliera, 1968.
Auction: Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, 22nd Apr, 2026
We are excited to present our Islamic and Indian Art Auction.
The sale brings together a remarkable collection of rare textiles, lacquerwear, woodwork, manuscripts and more. Featuring a 13th century bronze Ayyubid candlestick (lot 29), a monumental Indian silver-overlaid wooden footstool (lot 140) and an Ottoman calligraphic silk lampas panel from the inner covering of the Ka’ba (lot 166).
One further unmissable highlight is the beautifully enamelled 18 carat gold pocket watch by Breguet et Fils, produced for the Ottoman market (lot 148). We are delighted also to present further pieces from the collection of Mr Georges Antaki in this auction, which promises something of interest for all collectors interested in Islamic and Indian art.
Sale date(s) & Start time:
22 Apr 2026 12:00 BST
Viewing
Viewing date(s) & Start time(s):
17 Apr 2026 10:00 - 16:00
18 Apr 2026 11:00 - 16:00
20 Apr 2026 10:00 - 16:00
21 Apr 2026 10:00 - 16:00
