1940's Vintage First Edition Swiss Lithograph After Persian 1237 A. D. Painting

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A gorgeous vintage offset lithograph after Persian painting "Abu Zayad and Al-Haris Questioning a Villager" from art folio published in … Read more A gorgeous vintage offset lithograph after Persian painting "Abu Zayad and Al-Haris Questioning a Villager" from art folio published in Switzerland in 1940. Limited edition. From a manuscript of the MAQAMAT (Assemblies) of Hariri copied and illustrated by Yahya b. Mahmud b. Yahya b. Abi' l-Hasan b Kuwwariha al-Wasiti (of Wasit in Mesopotamia) in 634 H. (A.D. 1237). Printed on heavy wove paper, on one side. Numbered on the lower left corner: 1. This 78 years old lithograph has size of the original illustration from 13th century. Excellent condition - never framed.

Abu Zayd, the hero of the book and al-Haris the narrator, are seen mounted on camels in the forebackground. Behind them (i.e. at the top of the piece) is a village in which various shops can be seen while a mosque with minaret rises behind. On the right is a goatherd spinning beside the goats. In the centre is a pool, represented by the swirling convention usually employed for water at this period. The ninety-nine miniatures contained in this manuscript are finest work of the Mesopotamian or Baghdad school of the 13th century. See less