FALNAMAH, INDIA, DECCAN, PROBABY GOLCONDA, 19TH-20TH CENTURY

One page. Falnamah, a book of divination or omens. The book consists of 36 paintings, opposite each of which is a text that predicts the outcome of the scene depicted in terms of delivering good, bad or variable fortune: if the prediction is unfavourable, the text recommends how to forestall it, delay a decision or avoid the predicted outcome with a charitable donation. The varied subjects include episodes from al-Kisa’i’s Qisas al-Anbiya’ (tales of the prophets), an anthology of Christian, Jewish and Muslim legends; episodes from the life of the Prophet Muhammad; episodes from the poet and philosopher Nizami’s Khamsah; and depictions of miracle-working Sufis.