Fourteen illustrated leaves from a manuscript of Ferdawsi's 'Shahnameh', 1501 - 1736 CE
25 x 17 cm
9 7/8 x 6 3/4 in
(dimensions are provided with frame)
9 7/8 x 6 3/4 in
(dimensions are provided with frame)
LI.3023
This set of thirteen detached leaves are derived from the Shahnameh, compiled in 1020 CE by Abul-Qâsem Ferdowsi in Khorasan (Eastern Persia). This series of texts has been widely accepted...
This set of thirteen detached leaves are derived from the Shahnameh, compiled in 1020 CE by Abul-Qâsem Ferdowsi in Khorasan (Eastern Persia). This series of texts has been widely accepted as a wealthy repository of pre-Islamic Iranian lore that has helped to preserve the prose of the ancient Middle Persian language. Consisting of some 50,000 distich’s, the Shahnameh is one of the world’s longest epic poems. This particular copy is in a fine calligraphic hand, written in Nastaliq or Perso-Arabic script, a calligraphic hand that gained popularity during the Safavid reign and graciously attributed to Mir Ali Tabrizi, adopted single-handedly for prose and artistic expression.
Each leaf is an illustrative depiction of scenes from the Shahnameh, and are as follows:
- Kay Khusrow comes to Iran after the death of Siavash : Afrasiyab meets Piran en route as he pursues Kay Khosrow fleeing Turan.
- Kamus-e Kashani: Tus sees Siyavash in a dream.
- Kamus-e Kashani: Afrasiyab sends help to Piran.
- Rustam and the Khaqan-e Chin: Rustam fights the cannibal Kafur
- Bizhan and the Manizha: Rustam rescues Bizhan from the well
- Davazdah Rukh: Bizhan kills Human
- The Great War: Kay Khusrow replies to the envoy Jahn
- The Great War: The execution of Afrasiyab
- The Great War: Kay Khosrow advises the Iranians
- The Great War: Kay Khosrow disappears in a stream
- The reign of Luhrasp: Gushtasp kills a dragon
- The reign of Guhstasp: Isfandiyar kills Bidarafsh
- The reign of Gushtasp: Isfandiyar kills two wolves
- Bahman gives a message to Rustam
Safavid art is the art of the Persian Safavid dynasty from 1501 to 1722, in present-day Iran and Caucasia. It was a high point for the art of the book and architecture; and also including ceramics, metal, glass, and gardens. The arts of the Safavid period show a far more unitary development than in any other period of Iranian art. The Safavid Empire was one of the most significant ruling dynasties of Iran. They ruled one of the greatest Persian empires, with artistic accomplishments, since the Muslim conquest of Persia.
Each leaf is an illustrative depiction of scenes from the Shahnameh, and are as follows:
- Kay Khusrow comes to Iran after the death of Siavash : Afrasiyab meets Piran en route as he pursues Kay Khosrow fleeing Turan.
- Kamus-e Kashani: Tus sees Siyavash in a dream.
- Kamus-e Kashani: Afrasiyab sends help to Piran.
- Rustam and the Khaqan-e Chin: Rustam fights the cannibal Kafur
- Bizhan and the Manizha: Rustam rescues Bizhan from the well
- Davazdah Rukh: Bizhan kills Human
- The Great War: Kay Khusrow replies to the envoy Jahn
- The Great War: The execution of Afrasiyab
- The Great War: Kay Khosrow advises the Iranians
- The Great War: Kay Khosrow disappears in a stream
- The reign of Luhrasp: Gushtasp kills a dragon
- The reign of Guhstasp: Isfandiyar kills Bidarafsh
- The reign of Gushtasp: Isfandiyar kills two wolves
- Bahman gives a message to Rustam
Safavid art is the art of the Persian Safavid dynasty from 1501 to 1722, in present-day Iran and Caucasia. It was a high point for the art of the book and architecture; and also including ceramics, metal, glass, and gardens. The arts of the Safavid period show a far more unitary development than in any other period of Iranian art. The Safavid Empire was one of the most significant ruling dynasties of Iran. They ruled one of the greatest Persian empires, with artistic accomplishments, since the Muslim conquest of Persia.