The Court of Pir Budaq, a 15th century illustrated Iranian manuscript led Christie's April 25 London auction, the proceeds of which are to benefit Oxford University.
 The gilded illumination is more than 600 years old |
The historic, gilded manuscript brought £433,875 ($664,263) - a 333.9% increase on its £100,000 top estimate.
The gouache on paper depicts Abu'l-Fath Pir Budaq, the eldest son of the Qaraquyunlu ruler Jahanshah, sitting beneath a brightly coloured canopy as attendants ply him with food and musicians and dancers perform for him.
International interest in Iranian art and culture is at an all time high.
April 16 saw Farhad Moshiri's Secret Garden sell for $987,750 in Dubai.
The ambiguous work sold to a private collector with a 97.6% increase on its $500,000 top estimate.
In 2008 Moshiri became the first Middle Eastern artist to sell a work at auction for more than $1m.
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