Cover of the manuscript accessioned as S1986.58.1, from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d. 1020)

Object Details

• Description

  Book cover for S1986.58.1, Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d. 1020), red leather cover with a border of multiple fillets.

• Marks

  Affixed to inside of cover, octagonal sticker with blue border: “Mr. Vever” written in black ink on printed blue lines.

• Provenance

  ?- no later than 1923

  Likely Georges Demotte (1877-1923), method of acquisition unknown [1]

  By 1923-1942

  Henri Vever (1854-1942), mode of acquisition unknown [1]

  1942-1947

  Jeanne Louise Monthiers (1861-1947), bequest of Henri Vever [2]

  1947-1986

  Francois Mautin (1907-2003), bequest of Jeanne Louise Monthiers and Henri Vever [3]

  From 1986

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery purchased from Francois Mautin [4]

  Notes:

  [1] See inscription on the interior of the manuscript's over, "Est. D. aspxx." Vever used "Est. D" as shorthand for "Estimation by Georges Demotte." Georges Demotte was a collector and dealer of Islamic and medieval European art. He had galleries in Paris and New York City.

  [2]

  An accomplished French jeweler and collector, Henri Vever (1854-1942) amassed a large and impressive collection of works of art during his lifetime. His holdings in Japanese prints and Islamic arts of the books, especially from Iran and India, were among the most important assembled in the early twentieth century. This work was in Vever's collection at the time of his death in 1942. Vever purchased this manuscript before Demotte's death in 1923.

  [3] Upon Henri Vever's death on September 25, 1942, his wife, Jeanne Louise Monthiers inherited this work. See exhibits F and G of Agreement of Purchase and Sale of the Henri Vever Collection, January 9, 1986, copy in object file.

  [4] Upon the death of Jeanne Louise Monthiers, as stipulated in the will of Henri Vever, the family's assets were divided evenly between his two grandchildren. His only grandson, Francois Mautin inherited the collection known as "The Henri Vever Collection of Oriental Art and Manuscripts Including Persian and Indian Art and Manuscripts." This object is part of that collection. See exhibits F and G as cited in note 3.

  [5] The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery purchased the collection from Francois Mautin on January 9, 1986. See purchase agreement, copy in object file.

  Research completed June 16, 2022

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Previous custodian or owner

  Georges Demotte (1877-1923)

  Henri Vever (1854-1942)

  Jeanne Louise Monthiers (1861-1947)

  Francois Mautin (1907-2003)

• Origin

  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

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1800s, 1890s

• Name

  Mautin, Francois Albert, Monthiers, Jeanne Louise, Demotte, Georges, Vever, Henri

• Topic

  Art, Henri Vever collection, Arts of the Islamic World, Leatherwork, Shahnama

• Culture

  Muslims, Iranians

• Object Type

  Manuscripts