A copy of Firdawsi’s Shahnama. These miniatures (fol. 243r and fol. 242v): ‘Shah Luhrasp’s Ascension to the Throne’
Iran, Shiraz; 973 H = 1565-1566
Each leaf: 43.2 × 27 cm
Inventory number 95/2006
This copy of the Shahnama, which has retained its richly decorated, contemporary binding, contains 529 leaves and 18 miniatures.
The volume is a fine example of the manuscripts that were made in the commercial workshops in Shiraz, where commoners could acquire more or less richly embellished volumes in keeping with the size of their purses.
The double miniature shows Shah Luhrasp’s ascension to Iran’s throne after Kay Khusraw, an event that caused prolonged dissent in the Persian camp and was one of the reasons for the unfortunate battle to the death between the two Iranian superheroes Rustam and Isfandiyar.
The volume is a fine example of the manuscripts that were made in the commercial workshops in Shiraz, where commoners could acquire more or less richly embellished volumes in keeping with the size of their purses.
The double miniature shows Shah Luhrasp’s ascension to Iran’s throne after Kay Khusraw, an event that caused prolonged dissent in the Persian camp and was one of the reasons for the unfortunate battle to the death between the two Iranian superheroes Rustam and Isfandiyar.
Published in
Published in
fol. 42v
Joachim Meyer and Peter Wandel: Shahnama: the Colorful Epic About Iran’s Past, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2016, cat.nr. 6;
fol. 243r og fol. 242v
Kjeld von Folsach: For the Privileged Few: Islamic Miniature Painting from The David Collection, Louisiana, Humlebæk 2007, cat.no. 49;
Joachim Meyer: ”The Imagery of the Shahnama" in Joachim Meyer and Peter Wandel: Shahnama: the Colorful Epic About Iran’s Past, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2016, fig. 2, pp. 26-27;
Joachim Meyer and Peter Wandel: Shahnama: the Colorful Epic About Iran’s Past, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2016, cat.nr. 6;
fol. 243r og fol. 242v
Kjeld von Folsach: For the Privileged Few: Islamic Miniature Painting from The David Collection, Louisiana, Humlebæk 2007, cat.no. 49;
Joachim Meyer: ”The Imagery of the Shahnama" in Joachim Meyer and Peter Wandel: Shahnama: the Colorful Epic About Iran’s Past, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2016, fig. 2, pp. 26-27;
Miniature Paintings
Miniature from a copy of Firdawsi’s Shahnama. ‘Zal Beneath Rudaba’s Balcony’. Ascribed to Sadiqi Beg
Miniature pasted on an album leaf. ‘Young Woman with a Fan’
Miniature from a copy of Firdawsi’s Shahnama. ‘The Slaying of Siyawush’
Double frontispiece painting for an unknown manuscript. ‘A Gathering of Learned Men on a Terrace’