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First volume of a Tarikhnama (Book of history) by Bal’ami (died ca. 992-997)

Detail of a pattern
Image 1 of 31
IIIF

Terms of Use

Usage Conditions Apply

At A Glance

  • Period

    early 14th century

  • Geography

    Probably Iraq

  • Material

    Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper

  • Dimension

    H x W: 42.2 x 28.7 cm (16 5/8 x 11 5/16 in)

  • Accession Number

    F1957.16

  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1957.16

Object Details

  • Description

    Manuscript; Tarikhnama (Book of history) by Bal'ami, volume I; Persian in black naskh script; headings in red; 193 folios and 3 end leaf with 1 unwan (folio 1 verso), 30 paintings (1 recto, 14 verso, 37 verso, 42 verso, 47 verso, 54 verso, 62 verso, 68 verso, 75 verso, 79 verso, 83 verso, 90 verso, 107 recto, 110 recto, 116 recto, 117 verso, 118 verso, 126 recto, 129 recto, 131 recto, 132 verso, 134 recto, 138 recto, 146 verso, 157 verso, 179 verso, 182 recto, 184 recto, 192 verso), 2 stamps (fols. 2 recto, 193 verso), 4 inscriptions (fols. 125 recto, 155 recto, 156 recto, 157 recto); one of a group of 3: volume II, folios 79, and 84, bound within volume II, are accessioned separately as (F1947.19, F1930.21); standard page: 33 lines of text.
    Binding: The manuscript, which was bound in worn lacquer and cardboard cover, is now bound in brown leather over paper pasteboards.

  • Inscriptions

    Folio 125 recto:
    "As the Prophet Muhammad, may God send greetings to him and his family, mentioned about Nushirwan's righteousness: va luddat fe [? zan] al-mulk al-adel."
    Folio 155 verso:
    "In the name of God, As the master of poets Nizami Ganji noted in his book "Khamsa": A patricide is not worthy of kingship thus, [?] is not becoming."
    Folio 156 verso:
    "In the name of God, In a dynasty that a rooster utter a cry like a fowl there is no glory."
    Folio 157 verso:
    Folio 157 verso:

  • Paper/Support

    Modern worn cardboard binding

  • Provenance

    To 1957
    K. Rabenou, New York, New York. [1]
    From 1957
    Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from K. Rabenou, New York, New York. [2]
    Notes:
    [1] Curatorial Remark 1 in the object record.
    [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

    Khalil Rabenou (1906-1961)

  • Origin

    Probably Iraq

  • 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.

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