Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); recto: Siyawush cleaves an onager into equal halves while hunting with Afrasiyab; verso: text, Piran’s Advice to Siyawush

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At A Glance

On View
  • Period

    1300-1350
  • Geography

    Iran
  • Material

    Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
  • Dimension

    H x W (overall): 25.5 x 19.4 cm (10 1/16 x 7 5/8 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1945.25.1
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1945.25.1

Object Details

  • Description

    Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi; text: Persian in black naskhi script; recto: illustration and text: Siyawush cleaves an onager into equal halves while hunting with Afrasiyab, 4 columns, 19 lines; verso: text: Piran's Advice to Siyawush, 6 columns, 29 lines; one of a group of 6 folios.
    Border: The text and the painting are set in red, green, gold, and blue rulings on cream-colored paper.
  • Paper/Support

    Mounted on light weight cream-colored paper
  • Provenance

    To 1945
    H. Kahn Monif (died 1968), Persian Antique Gallery, New York, NY, to 1945 [1]
    From 1945
    Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from H. Kahn Monif in 1945
    Notes:
    [1] Undated folder sheet note. For additional information, see Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List after 1920, Collections Management Office.
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    An Epic of Kings: The Great Mongol Shahnama (September 21, 2024 to January 12, 2025)
    Arts of the Islamic World (May 3, 1998 to January 3, 2016)
    Special Exhibition of Persian Art (May 1, 1960 to August 11, 1961)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    H. Kahn Monif (1886 or 1888-1968)
  • Origin

    Iran
  • Credit Line

    Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
  • Type

    Manuscript
  • On View

    Sacker 24a: An Epic of Kings: The Great Mongol Shahnama
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

    There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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