Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); recto: text; verso: The envoys of Salm and Tur before Faridun

Detail of a pattern
Image 1 of 2
Download Image IIIF

Terms of Use

Usage Conditions Apply

At A Glance

  • Period

    circa 1560
  • Geography

    Shiraz, Iran
  • Material

    Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
  • Dimension

    H x W: 40.2 x 33.3 cm (15 13/16 x 13 1/8 in)
  • Accession Number

    S1986.184
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_S1986.184

Object Details

  • Description

    Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi; text: Persian in black nasta'liq script; recto: text, four columns, twenty-five lines; verso: illustration and text: The envoys of Salm and Tur before Faridun.
    Border: The painting and the text are set in gold, red, and blue rulings on cream-colored paper.
  • Collection

    Arthur M. Sackler Collection
  • Exhibition History

    The Art of Painting a Story: Narrative Images from Iran (December 22, 1991 to May 10, 1992)
  • Origin

    Shiraz, Iran
  • Credit Line

    Purchase — Smithsonian Unrestricted Trust Funds, Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program, and Dr. Arthur M. Sackler
  • 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