ManuscriptsPersian16th century

Introduction to the Shahnama (illuminated text, recto; text, verso), folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

1562

Description

This is the left-hand side of an illuminated double page. The text, written in white within the central medallion, begins the introduction to Firdawsi’s Shahnama composed by the Timurid prince Baysunghur Mirza. The page is densely decorated with geometric motifs in blue and gold, layered with intricate floral vines and cloudbands. The design and palette are characteristic of frontispieces produced in the second half of the sixteenth century in Iran and Central Asia.

Classification

Manuscripts

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Culture

Persian

Period

Safavid period

Century

16th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

37.2 x 23.3 cm (14 5/8 x 9 3/16 in.)

Provenance

[Christies, London, 17 October 1995, lot no. 79]. [Mansour Gallery, London, before 1997], sold; to Stanford and Norma Jean Calderwood, Belmont, MA (by 1997-2002), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2002.