Recto: Bahram Gur slaying the wolf-monster; Verso: Bahram Gur slaying a dragon, from a Shahnama (book of kings) by Firdawsi

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

On View
  • Period

    early 14th century
  • Geography

    Iran
  • Material

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

    H x W: 10.3 x 11.8 cm (4 1/16 x 4 5/8 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1930.10
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1930.10

Object Details

  • Description

    Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi; text: Persian in black naskh script; recto: illustration and text, Bahram Gur slaying the wolf-monster, 6 columns, 31 lines; verso: illustration and text, Bahram Gur slaying a dragon, 6 columns, 31 lines; one of a group of 39: The manuscript (F1930.1) and 38 detached folios (F1929.25-46, F1930.1-9, F1930.11-17, F1940.12, F1940.13) are accessioned separately.
    Border: The recto and verso are set in red rulings on cream-colored paper.
  • Provenance

    To 1930
    Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962), New York to 1930 [1]
    From 1930
    Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Hagop Kevorkian, New York in 1930 [2]
    Notes:
    [1] Object file, 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

    An Epic of Kings: The Great Mongol Shahnama (September 21, 2024 to January 12, 2025)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962)
  • Origin

    Iran
  • Credit Line

    Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
  • Type

    Manuscript
  • On View

    Sackler 23a: An Epic of Kings: The Great Mongol Shahnama
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

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