Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020)

Manuscript; Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi; Persian in black naskh script, headings in gold naskh outlined in black; 127 bound folios, 40 detached folios with 46 illustrations, and five detached text folios attached to illustration folios (quire) ; seal (folio 10recto, 127verso); standard page: 6 columns, 31 lines of text; one of a group of 41: the manuscript (F1930.1) and 40 detached folios (F1929.25-46, F1930.2-17 and F1940.12,13) are accessioned separately.
Binding: The manuscript is bound in red leather over paper pasteboards. The lower and upper covers both have a border of multiple fillets.

View right to left

Historical period(s)
Il-Khanid dynasty, Mongol period, early 14th century
Medium
Ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W x D (overall closed): 31.4 x 23.3 x 4.4 cm (12 3/8 x 9 3/16 x 1 3/4 in)
Geography
Iran
Credit Line
Gift of H. Kevorkian
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1930.1
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Manuscript
Type

Manuscript

Keywords
Il-Khanid dynasty (1256 - 1353), Iran, Mongol period (1220 - 1380), naskh script, Shahnama
Provenance

To 1930
Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962), New York to 1930 [1]

From 1930
Freer Gallery of Art, given by Hagop Kevorkian, New York in 1930 [2]

Notes:

[1] Object file, undated folder sheet note. See also Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List file, Collections Management Office.

[2] See note 1.

Previous Owner(s)

Hagop Kevorkian 1872-1962

Description

Manuscript; Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi; Persian in black naskh script, headings in gold naskh outlined in black; 127 bound folios, 40 detached folios with 46 illustrations, and five detached text folios attached to illustration folios (quire) ; seal (folio 10recto, 127verso); standard page: 6 columns, 31 lines of text; one of a group of 41: the manuscript (F1930.1) and 40 detached folios (F1929.25-46, F1930.2-17 and F1940.12,13) are accessioned separately.
Binding: The manuscript is bound in red leather over paper pasteboards. The lower and upper covers both have a border of multiple fillets.

Published References
  • Marianna Shreve Simpson. The Illustration of an Epic: The Earliest Shahnama Manuscripts. Outstanding Dissertations in the Fine Arts New York and London. .
  • Abolala Soudavar Milo Cleveland Beach. Art of the Persian Court: Selections from the Art and History Trust Collection. New York. p. 37.
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage conditions apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use

Related Objects