Folio from Aja'ib al-makhluqat wa- ghara'ib al-mawjudat (Wonders of creation and marvels of creatures and strange things existing) by al-Qazvini (d.1283); recto: text; verso: Wild Ox (Bagar al-Wahsh)

Object Details

• Author

  Zakariyya ibn Muhammad al-Qazwini (1203-1283)

• Description

  Detached folio from a dispersed copy of an Aja'ib al-makhluqat wa- ghara'ib al-mawjudat (Wonders of creation and marvels of creatures and strange things existing) by al-Qazvini; text: Arabic in black and red nasta'liq script; recto: text, one column, 23 lines; verso: illustration and text: Wild ox (Bagar al-wahsh); one of a group of 83 folios.

  Border: The text and the painting are set in gold and black rulings on cream-colored paper.

• Label

  One of the most celebrated literary works in the Islamic world is Qazvini's monumental cosmography, written in the mid-thirteenth century. The first of its two main sections describes the heavenly bodies, while the second discusses geography, flora, fauna, and, finally, man.

  For each chapter, the author begins with a detailed description. The wild ox, for instance, is characterized as an elegant animal, with long horns, who enjoys music and derives great pleasure from the sound of passing arrows. Its horns, meat, and blood are reputed to possess many healing qualities. The depiction of the wild ox is also one of the most remarkable compositions in this copy of Qazvini's text. Placed asymmetrically on the page, the animal's extended forelegs and turned head heighten its sense of agility and speed.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Arts of the Islamic World (May 3, 1998 to January 3, 2016)

  Islamic Art (May 9, 1993 to June 3, 1997)

• Origin

  Iraq or Eastern Turkey

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Manuscript

• 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.

  The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1400s

• Name

  al-Qazwini, Zakariyya ibn Muhammad

• Topic

  Art, Oxen, Arts of the Islamic World, Wonders of Creation

• Culture

  Muslims, Iraqis, Turks

• Object Type

  Manuscripts