The hero Gushtasp slaying a dragon, from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

  • Period

    early 14th century
  • Geography

    Iran
  • Material

    Ink, opaque watercolor, gold and silver on paper
  • Dimension

    H x W: 9.3 x 11.5 cm (3 11/16 x 4 1/2 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1929.46
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1929.46

Object Details

  • Description

    Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi; text: Persian in black naskh script, heading in gold naskh outlined in black; recto: text, 6 columns, 31 lines; verso: illustration and text, The hero Gushtasp slaying a dragon, 6 columns, 31 lines; one of a group of 40: the manuscript (F1930.1) and 39 detached folios (F1929.25-45, F1929.47, F1930.2-17, F1940.13) are accessioned separately.
    Border: The painting and the text are set in red rulings on cream-colored paper.
  • Provenance

    To 1929
    Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962), New York to 1929 [1]
    From 1929
    Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Hagop Kevorkian, New York in 1929 [2]
    Notes:
    [1] Object file (F1929.25a-b), undated folder sheet note. See also Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List file, Collections Management Office.
    [2] See note 1.
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    Engaging the Senses (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962)
  • Origin

    Iran
  • Credit Line

    Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
  • Type

    Manuscript
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

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