Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami (d.1209); recto: illustration: Bahram Gur visits the princess in the white pavilion; verso: text

Object Details

• Calligrapher

  Murshid al-Shirazi

• Description

  Folio from the Haft paykar in the Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami; text: Persian in black nasta'liq script; recto: illustration: Bahram Gur visits the princess in the white pavilion; verso: text, 4 columns, 19 lines; from the manuscript F1908.199.

  Binding: The folio is bound with the rest of the manuscript in brown leather over paper pasteboards with doublures of cream-colored paper.

• Label

  In contrast to his second and third masnavis, Nizami's fourth poem, the Haft Paikar, or seven portraits, is a much more playful romance, although it too has a symbolic aspect. The work deals with the Iranian King Bahram Gur and his seven royal wives, each from a different part of the world and each housed in a different colored palace. Fair and just in his marital obligations, the King spent one night a week with each wife who was expected to entertain him with stories.

  Bahram Gur devoted Fridays to the companion who lived in a white pavilion. As seen in this painting, not only was the palace completely white from facade to carpets, but all the inhabitants, including the princess, her attendants, and even the gardner, were dressed in the same color. Bahram Gur has also donned a white outfit for the occasion. As the King relaxed with music and wine, his wife related a story of two frustrated lovers who endured many calamities before realizing that it is better to be patient than to seek immediate satisfaction of amorous desires.

• Provenance

  To 1908

  Tabbagh Frères, Paris, to 1908 [1]

  From 1908 to 1919

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Tabbagh Frères, Paris, through the Bauer-Folsom Company, New York, in 1908 [2]

  From 1920

  Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]

  Notes:

  [1] See List of Persian Books and Paintings, S.I. 1592, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives. In 1932, F1908.259-.284 were separated from F1908.199 and given their current numbers.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Studies in Connoisseurship 1923-1983 (September 23, 1983 to March 1, 1984)

  Art of the Court of Shah Tahmasp (December 16, 1979 to August 14, 1980)

  Near Eastern Art (June 15, 1973 to May 7, 1975)

  2500 Years of Persian Art—Paintings, Pottery (February 10, 1972 to June 15, 1973)

  Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 6 and 7 (February 25, 1956 to April 10, 1962)

  Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Manuscripts, Pottery, Metalwork, and Glass (April 12, 1955 to November 21, 1955)

  Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Arts, 1947 (October 6, 1947 to February 25, 1956)

  Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Paintings (May 1, 1945 to September 25, 1947)

  Untitled Exhibition, Persian Paintings and Ceramics (May 5, 1933 to January 9, 1945)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Tabbagh Frères (C.L. Freer source)

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)

• Origin

  Shiraz, Iran

• Credit Line

  Gift of Charles Lang Freer

• Type

  Manuscript

• On View

  Freer Gallery 04: Engaging the Senses

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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  collections.si.edu

• Date

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• Name

  Tabbagh Frères, Freer, Charles Lang

• Place

  Shiraz

• Topic

  S?afavid dynasty, 1501-1736, Pavilion, Charles Lang Freer collection, Art, Princess, Arts of the Islamic World, Poetry, Bahram Gur

• Culture

  Muslims, Iranians

• Object Type

  Manuscripts

• On View

  Yes