A LARGE PAINTING ON GLASS OF HUSSEIN LEADING ABBAS IN THE FIELD OF KARBALA Iran, early Pahlavi era, 20th century  Painted behind glass in bright polychromes and gold, in typical naive style with the saints riding into battle on the day of Ashura, the bearded Hussein dressed in mail on his steed Zul-Janah, wielding his sword and leading his half-brother Abbas, his flag-bearer, set against the green field of the army's encampment, framed in typical repoussé gilt metal, 52cm x 74cm including frame. Provenance: purchased by the present private owner in an antique shop in Tehran in 1973 whilst the owner was living and working there. This type of naive devotional painting would commonly grace the walls of modest neighbourhood shrines, often associated with a source of clean and free drinking water provided by a charitable believer, so the faithful would ponder on the sacrifice of Karbala martyrs who perished thirsty.