ENGLISH VERSION BY EDWARD FITZGERALD & ILLUSTRATED BY M. K. SETT
RUBAIYAT OF OMAR KHAYYAM
Year: Circa 1940sSize: 28 x 22 cm (11 x 8.6 inches)
Published by D. B. Taraporevala Sons & Co., Pp. 12, No. of Sheet 31
Undated, but references to "two global wars" in the introduction suggest a post-World War II publication.
Rubiyat of Omar Khayyam is the title that Edward FitzGerald gave to his 1859 translation from Persian to English of a selection of quatrains (Rubiyat) attributed to Omar Khayyam (1048-1131)
Housed in a portfolio, this rare edition includes: A 12pp booklet with 75 quatrains and introduction by artist Mera Ben Kavas Sett.16 unbound cards printed in red and green on heavy stock, with handwritten text and intricate illustrations. 15 unbound b&w illustrated cards, each with a quatrain on the verso.
Often likened to Aubrey Beardsley, Setts intricate illustrations reflect a fin-de-sicle aesthetic while distinctly drawing from his Parsi heritage featuring women in Gara sarees and traditional motifs. His interpretation captures the tragicomic essence of the Rubaiyat, infusing it with cultural nuance and emotional depth. Created during the tumult of World War II, this edition not only presents a postcolonial Indian perspective but has also been critically noted for its role in reframing Victorian Orientalist interpretations of Khayyams verses.
BINDING: Dark Green Cloth Hardcover
Provenance : Collection of a Gentleman
This is an auction of pre-owned and old items. Many items are of an age or nature which precludes their being in perfect condition and you should expect general wear and tear commensurate with age and use.
We strongly advise you to examine items before you bid.
The original green cloth portfolio with gilt Art Deco titling on the front cover, this early 1940s edition remains in overall good condition. The portfolio shows sunning to the spine, consistent with age, and features minor insect holes within some of the unbound pages. Despite these small flaws, the contents are well-preserved, with the striking illustrations and printed texts remaining vibrant and intact, making this a remarkable and collectible example of mid-20th-century Indian book art.
This is an auction of pre-owned and old items. Many items are of an age or nature which precludes their being in perfect condition and you should expect general wear and tear commensurate with age and use.
We strongly advise you to examine items before you bid.
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