Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi; recto: text, Faridun captures Zahhak; verso: Faridun strikes Zahhak with the ox-headed mace

Object Details

• Artist

  Attributed to Sultan-Muhammad (active ca. 1520s-1540s)

• Patron

  Shah Tahmasp (1524-1576)

• Description

  Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi; text: Persian in black nasta'liq script; recto: text: Faridun captures Zahhak, 4 columns with illuminated panels and triangular illuminations, 12 lines of text written diagonally; verso: illustration and text: Faridun strikes Zahhak with the ox-headed mace, inscription, six lines of text.

  Border: The text and the painting are set in gold, green, and blue rulings on gold-sprinkled paper.

• Inscriptions

  On the crenellation: Be Kam to bada hame kar-i to khudavand gitti negahdar to

  “I Hope the God of the universe will be your protector/ I hope you obtain what you desire"

  “I Hope the God of the universe will be your protector/ I hope you obtain what you desire"

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Engaging the Senses (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)

  The Shahnama: 1000 Years of the Persian Book of Kings (October 23, 2010 to April 17, 2011)

  Beyond the Legacy--Anniversary Acquisitions of the Freer Gallery of Art (October 11, 1998 to April 11, 1999)

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

• Origin

  Tabriz, Iran

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Manuscript

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1700s, 1710s, 1720s, 1500s, 1610s, 1600s, 1590s, 1540s, 1650s, 1530s, 1640s, 1520s, 1630s, 1510s, 1620s, 1580s, 1730s, 1690s, 1570s, 1680s, 1560s, 1670s, 1550s, 1660s

• Name

  Sultan-Muhammad, Shah Tahmasp

• Place

  Tabriz

• Topic

  S?afavid dynasty, 1501-1736, Art, Ceremonial maces, Arts of the Islamic World, Illumination, Faridun, Zahhak, Shahnama, Epic literature

• Culture

  Muslims, Iranians

• Object Type

  Manuscripts