Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); Turanian prisoners of war brought before Shah Ka'us, Ka'us answers the letter of Kay Khusraw

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At A Glance

  • Period

    early 14th century
  • Geography

    Iran
  • Material

    Opaque watercolor, gold and black on paper
  • Dimension

    H x W: 5.5 x 12.1 cm (2 3/16 x 4 3/4 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1940.15
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1940.15

Object Details

  • Description

    Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi; text: Persian in black naskhi script; recto: blank; verso: illustration and text: Turanian prisoners of war brought before Shah Ka'us, Ka'us answers the letter of Kay Khusraw, heading in gold, 6 columns, 18 line; one of a group of 2 folios.
    Border: The text and the painting are set in red, gold, and blue rulings on cream-colored paper.
  • Provenance

    To 1940
    Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962), New York to 1940 [1]
    From 1940
    Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Hagop Kevorkian, New York in 1940 [2]
    Notes:
    [1] Object file. For additional information, see Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List file, Collections Management Office.
    [2] See note 1.
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    Near Eastern Art (January 1, 1963 to August 18, 1967)
    Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 6 and 7 (February 25, 1956 to April 10, 1962)
    Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Manuscripts, 1955 (April 12, 1955 to December 16, 1955)
    Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Manuscripts, 1947 (October 6, 1947 to February 25, 1956)
  • 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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