Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); Afrasiyab takes Siyavush as prisoner

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At A Glance

  • Period

    early 14th century
  • Geography

    Iran
  • Material

    Opaque watercolor, gold, black, and silver on paper
  • Dimension

    H x W: 4.8 x 12 cm (1 7/8 x 4 3/4 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1931.21
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1931.21

Object Details

  • Description

    Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi; text: Persian in black naskhi script; illustration and text: Afrasiyab takes Siyavush as prisoner, 6 columns, 19 lines; reverse: blank; one of a group of 4 folios.
    Border: The text and the painting are set in gold and black rulings mounted on a gold-sprinkled black paperboard.
  • Paper/Support

    Leaf mounted on a speckled black cardboard.
  • Provenance

    To 1931
    Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962), New York to 1931 [1]
    From 1931
    Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Hagop Kevorkian, New York in 1931 [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

    Engaging the Senses (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)
    Arts of the Islamic World (May 3, 1998 to January 3, 2016)
    Near Eastern Ceramics (June 24, 1982 to September 23, 1982)
    Near Eastern Ceramics (May 14, 1981 to May 10, 1985)
    Art of the Near East (August 21, 1977 to December 14, 1979)
    Ceramics from the World of Islam (January 16, 1974 to July 1, 1974)
    Near Eastern Art (June 15, 1973 to May 7, 1975)
    2500 Years of Persian Art—Paintings, Metalwork (February 10, 1972 to June 15, 1973)
    Near Eastern Art—Paintings, Metalwork (August 18, 1967 to February 10, 1972)
    Special Exhibition (February 9, 1954 to April 20, 1954)
    Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Manuscripts, 1947 (October 6, 1947 to February 25, 1956)
    Untitled Exhibition, Persian Manuscripts (May 5, 1933 to September 22, 1947)
  • 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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