Illustrated Manuscript of the Shahnameh (Book of Kings)
DateDated AH 1031 (1622 CE)
PeriodSafavid
MediumInk, opaque watercolor and gold on paper, lacquered leather binding
DimensionsOverall: 10 1/4 x 6 7/8 x 3 1/8 in. (26 x 17.5 x 7.9cm)
ClassificationsManuscripts
Credit LineCourtesy of the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art
Object number10.9
DescriptionBound within the beautiful covers of this manuscript is a copy of the Shahnameh (Book of Kings), the epic poem written by Firdausi in the early 11th century. Recounting the deeds and misfortunes of heroes, kings, and demons, the Shahnameh chronicles the history of Iran from its mythical beginnings to historical periods just prior to conversion to Islam in the 7th century. 13 paintings illustrate much-loved moments of the narrative. However, the lacquered scenes on the front and back of the cover(which date from the late 18th century, much later than the manuscript itself) are not actually told in the Shahnaeha. They derive from the much-loved poems "Khusrau and Shirin" and "Layla and Majnun," which are part of the epic poem "Khamsa" (Five), written by Nizami around the turn of the 13th century.On View
Not on view
1520
Dated AH 1009 (1600-1601 CE)
Dated AH 1270 (1853-1854 CE)
12th - 13th century
19th - 20th century
18th - 19th century
18th - 19th century
19th - 20th century
19th - 20th century
