BIJAPUR, DECCAN, INDIA, CIRCA 1650

The partial seal impression on the reverse of this work probably belongs to ‘Abd al-Rashid al-Daylami, who served superintendant of the Royal library to Shah Jahan from 1635 or 1636 to 1646 (John Seyller, "The Inspection and Valuation of Manuscripts in the Imperial Mughal Library", Artibus Asiae 54, 3 / 4, 1997, pp.243-349, p.255). L'al Chela, whose name is also recorded on the reverse, was royal librarian during years 29 and 30 of Shah Jahan's reign (Seyller, op.cit., p.348) and his name appears in another inventory inscription on the reverse of a painting of Christ holding an orb which is lot 100 in Christie's forthcoming sale Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds including Rugs and Carpets, 30 April 2026.