TWO LOOSE FOLIOS FROM THE SHAHNAMEH BY ABDU'L-QASIM FIRDAWSI (D. AH 416/1024 AD) Iran, 17th - 18th century Comprising two folios from the Shahnameh of Firdawsi, Persian manuscript on paper, the first in black ink in kitabat nasta’liq, 25ll., the chapter heading ‘Bahram Chubin’s ambush of Khosrow Parveez and their battle’ in gold ink with green split palmette scrolls, the text within blue, gold, green, and red rules, catchword, the text panel 21.6cm x 12.5cm and the folio 34.5cm x 22cm; and the latter, from a similar but different manuscript, 20ll., the chapter heading ‘Alexander consulting the elders’ in white ink on gold ground contained within an illuminated cartouche on cobalt blue ground, the text divided vertically by three gold lines ornate with black flower heads and contained within blue, brown, gold, green, red and light blue rules, the text panel 22cm x 13cm and the folio 34cm x 23cm.