Engaging the Senses Object Gallery - Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art

Objects 1 – 132 of 132

Jar

late 12th-early 13th century
Syria, Raqqa
Stone-paste painted in black under turquoise glaze
H x W: 31.1 x 21.6 cm (12 1/4 x 8 1/2 in)
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Freer Gallery of Art
F1908.136

Ayyubid period, 12th-13th century
Syria
Stone-paste decorated under glaze with blue and over glaze with brown lustre
H x W: 10.5 x 28 cm (4 1/8 x 11 in)
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Freer Gallery of Art
F1908.148

Tile

Saljuq period, late 12th century
Iran, Kashan
Stone-paste painted with enamel (mina’i)
H x W: 18.3 x 1.7 cm (7 3/16 x 11/16 in)
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Freer Gallery of Art
F1911.319

Beaker

Saljuq period, late 12th century
Iran, Kashan
Stone-paste painted under glaze and over glaze with enamel (mina’i)
H x W x D: 12 x 11.2 x 11.2 cm (4 3/4 x 4 7/16 x 4 7/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1928.2

Bookbinding

Ottoman period, 16th-17th century
Turkey
Red leather on pasteboard
H x W: 33.9 x 20.5 cm (13 3/8 x 8 1/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1929.20

Gayumarth enthroned in the mountains from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi

Mongol period, early 14th century
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor, gold and silver on paper
H x W (overall): 30.4 x 21.7 cm (11 15/16 x 8 9/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1929.27

Manuchihr attacks Tur and slays him from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi

Mongol period, early 14th century
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor, gold and silver on paper
H x W: 17.7 x 18.5 cm (6 15/16 x 7 5/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1929.30

Sam finds his son Zal in the nest of the simurgh from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi

Mongol period, early 14th century
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor, gold and silver on paper
H x W: 9.5 x 11.9 cm (3 3/4 x 4 11/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1929.31

The meeting of Zal and Rudaba from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi

Il-Khanid dynasty, Mongol period, early 14th century
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor, gold and silver on paper

H x W: 8.5 x 11.1 cm (3 3/8 x 4 3/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1929.32

Piran attacks the Iranians at night, from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi

Kay Khusraw feasting with Rustam, the hero from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi

Il-Khanid dynasty, Mongol period, early 14th century
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor, gold and silver on paper
H x W: 9.6 x 14.5 cm (3 3/4 x 5 11/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1929.44

The hero Gushtasp slaying a dragon from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi

Il-Khanid dynasty, Mongol period, early 14th century
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor, gold and silver on paper
H x W: 9.3 x 11.5 cm (3 11/16 x 4 1/2 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1929.46

Folio of calligraphy by Kamal al-Din Ikhtiyar al-Munshi al-Sultani (d. 974)

Safavid period, August-September 1552 (Ramadan 959 A.H.)
Afghanistan, Herat
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 22.8 x 13.4 cm (9 x 5 1/4 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1929.64

Folio from a Qur’an, sura 21:105-112; sura 22:1-12

Abbasid period, 9th century
North Africa or Near East
Ink, color and gold on parchment
H x W (overall): 22.5 x 29.7 cm (8 7/8 x 11 11/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1929.71

Folio from a Qur’an, sura 10:24-31

9th century
North Africa or Near East
Ink and color on parchment
H x W (overall): 28 x 38.3 cm (11 x 15 1/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1929.72

Folio from a Qur’an, Sura 1:1-5; recto: frontispiece; verso: text

12th century
Iran or Iraq
Ink, color, and gold on paper
H x W: 24 x 16.1 cm (9 7/16 x 6 5/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1929.73

Folio from a Qur’an, Sura 1:5-7; Sura 2:1-4

12th century
Iran or Iraq
Ink, color, and gold on paper
H x W: 17.4 x 15.4 cm (6 7/8 x 6 1/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1929.74

Bahram Chubina slaying the lion-ape from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi

Il-Khanid dynasty, Mongol period, early 14th century
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor, gold and silver on paper
H x W: 9.9 x 11.8 cm (3 7/8 x 4 5/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1930.16

Folio from a Qur’an

Mamluk period, 14th century
Egypt
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
H x W: 41.1 x 31.6 cm (16 3/16 x 12 7/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1930.57

Folio from a Qur’an, sura 79:7-39; sura 80:1-19

Mamluk period, mid-14th century
Egypt
Ink, color and gold on paper
H x W: 41 x 31.8 cm (16 1/8 x 12 1/2 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1930.59

Folio fromKitab fi ma`arifat al-hiyal al-handisaya (The book of knowledge of ingenious mechanical devices) Automata by al-Jazari (d. 1206); recto: A candle clock; verso: text

Mamluk period, 1315 (715 A.H.)
probably Syria
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 30.8 x 21.9 cm (12 1/8 x 8 5/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1930.71

Folio from an Automata by al-Jazari (d.1206); recto: illustration: Container for dispensing wine; verso: text

Mamluk Period, December 1315 (Ramadan 715 A.H.)
Probably Syria
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 30.1 x 21.9 cm (11 7/8 x 8 5/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1930.72

Folio from Kitab fi ma`arifat al-hiyal al-handisaya (The book of knowledge of ingenious mechanical devices) Automata by al-Jazari (d.1206); recto: A hand-washing device in the form of a woman holding a pitcher; verso: text

Mamluk period, 1315 (715 A.H.)
probably Syria
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 31.1 x 21.6 cm (12 1/4 x 8 1/2 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1930.75

Folio from Kitab fi ma`arifat al-hiyal al-handisaya (The book of knowledge of ingenious mechanical devices) Automata by al-Jazari (d.1206); recto: illustration: The basin of the two scribes; verso: text

Mamluk period, December 1315 (Ramadan 715 A.H.)
probably Syria
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 30.8 x 19.7 cm (12 1/8 x 7 3/4 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1930.76

Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); recto: text; verso: Darab sleeping in the ruined vault

Il-Khanid dynasty, Mongol period, circa 1330-1340
Iran, Tabriz
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 25.2 x 20.4 cm (9 15/16 x 8 1/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1930.78

Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); Sudaba makes accusations against Siyavush

Il-Khanid dynasty, 14th century
Probably Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor, gold and silver on paper
H x W: 5.7 x 12.5 cm (2 1/4 x 4 15/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1930.90

Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); Afrasiyab takes Siyavush as prisoner

Il-Khanid dynasty, early 14th century
Iran
Opaque watercolor, gold, black, and silver on paper
H x W: 4.8 x 12 cm (1 7/8 x 4 3/4 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1931.21

Folio from a Khusraw u Shirin by Nizami (d.1209); recto: illustration: Khusraw discovers Shirin bathing; verso: text

Jalayirid period, ca. 1400
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor, silver and gold on paper
H x W: 16.3 x 15.3 cm (6 7/16 x 6 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1931.32

Khusraw at the castle of Shirin, from a manuscript of the Khusraw and Shirin by Nizami (d.1209), recto: illustration: Khusraw at the castle of Shirin; verso: text

Jalayirid period, ca. 1400
Iran, Tabriz
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W (painting): 25.8 × 18.4 cm (10 3/16 × 7 1/4 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1931.36

Folio from a Mihr-u Mushtari (The Sun and Jupiter) by Shams al-Din Muhammad Assar Tabrizi (d. circa 1382); verso: Mihr feasting with Kayvan the King of Khwarazm; recto: text, Mihr playing lute and feasting with Kayvan

Shaybanid dynasty, Uzbek period, 1523-24 (930 A.H.)
Uzbekistan, Bukhara
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 18.3 x 11.6 cm (7 3/16 x 4 9/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1932.7

Folio from a Divan (collected poems) by Hafiz (d. 1390); recto: text: Poem of the contentment of heart and soul; verso: illustration and text, Prince entertained on a terrace

Safavid period, 1523-24 (930 A.H.)
Afghanistan, Herat
Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
H x W: 30 x 18.8 cm (11 13/16 x 7 3/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1932.48

Bowl

Mamluk period, 1350s-1400s
Syria
Gilded and enameled glass
H x W: 21 x 35 cm (8 1/4 x 13 3/4 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1933.13

Cover of a Qur’an

Safavid period, 16th century
Iran
Dark brown leather on pasteboard, gold tooling
H x W: 37.5 x 24.6 cm (14 3/4 x 9 11/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1934.17

Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (died 1020); recto: Iskandar (Alexander) and the talking tree; verso: text

Il-Khanid dynasty, Mongol period, ca. 1330
Iran, Tabriz
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 40.8 x 30.1 cm (16 1/16 x 11 7/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1935.23

Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (died 1020); recto: text:; verso: illustration and text: Bahram Gur finds Jamshid’s treasure

Il-Khanid dynasty, Mongol period, ca. 1330
Iran, Tabriz
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 20.8 x 28.8 cm (8 3/16 x 11 5/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1935.24

Semi-circular lunette from above a double window

second half 14th century
Iran
Gray limestone
H x W x D: 79.2 × 132.5 × 16 cm (31 3/16 × 52 3/16 × 6 5/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1936.5

Folio from Yusuf u-Zulaikha by Jami (d.1492); recto: Hares, deer and birds in landscape; verso: Floral scrolls

Safavid period, 1557
Iran, Qazvin
Ink and gold on paper
H x W: 25.2 x 15 cm (9 15/16 x 5 7/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1936.9

Young Prince

Safavid period, mid-16th century
Iran
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 34.1 x 24 cm (13 7/16 x 9 7/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1937.8

Two demons, fettered

Timurid period, 15th century
Iran or Central Asia
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W (painting): 14.6 × 22.1 cm (5 3/4 × 8 11/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1937.25

Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) by Amir Khusraw Dihlavi (d. 1325); The abduction by sea

Timurid period, 1496
Afghanistan, Herat
Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
H x W: 27 x 19.3 cm (10 5/8 x 7 5/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1937.27

Folio from a Qur’an

Mamluk period, 1313
Egypt
Ink, gold and opaque watercolor on paper
H x W: 34.4 x 25.9 cm (13 9/16 x 10 3/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1937.32

Folio from a Qur’an, sura 54:13-23

993 (383 A.H.)
Ink, color and gold on paper
H x W: 24 x 34 cm (9 7/16 x 13 3/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1937.33

Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (died 1020); recto: The bier of Iskandar (Alexander the Great); verso: text

Il-Khanid dynasty, Mongol period, ca. 1330
Iran, Tabriz
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 57.6 x 39.7 cm (22 11/16 x 15 5/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1938.3

Bowl

Saljuq period, Late 12th-early 13th
Iran
Stone-paste body painted over glaze with enamel (mina’i)
H x Diam: 8.8 x 23 cm (3 7/16 x 9 1/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1938.12

Folio from a Qur’an

Mamluk period, Reign of Nasir al-Din Muihammad, 1313
Egypt
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 34.3 x 25.9 cm (13 1/2 x 10 3/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1938.15

Folio of calligraphy

Safavid or Mughal periods, 16th century
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 17.1 x 9.2 cm (6 3/4 x 3 5/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1939.49b

Folio from a Qur’an, Sura 5:52-54

11th-12th century
Afghanistan
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
H x W: 32.3 x 21.4 cm (12 11/16 x 8 7/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1939.56

Hand-warmer

Mamluk period, mid-14th century
Egypt or Syria
Brass
Diam: 12.5 cm (4 15/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1939.58a-b

Bijan in bonds before Afrasiyab from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi

Il-Khanid dynasty, Mongol period, early 14th century
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor, gold and silver on paper
H x W: 9.2 x 11.5 cm (3 5/8 x 4 1/2 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1940.13

Canteen

Ayyubid period, mid-13th century
Syria or Northern Iraq
Brass, silver inlay
H x W (overall): 45.2 x 36.7 cm (17 13/16 x 14 7/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1941.10

Plate

Saljuq period, December 1210 (Jumadi II 607 A.H.)
Iran, Kashan
Stone-paste painted over glaze with luster
H x W x D: 3.7 x 35.2 x 35.2 cm (1 7/16 x 13 7/8 x 13 7/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1941.11

Plate

Fatimid period, 12th century
Egypt
Earthenware painted over glaze with luster
H x Diam: 7.5 x 38.4 cm (2 15/16 x 15 1/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1941.12

Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (died 1020); recto: text and illustration: Rustam confronts the Turanian, Pilsam; verso: text

Inju dynasty, Mongol period, 1341 (741 A.H.)
Iran, Shiraz
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W (image): 9.9 x 2.4 cm (3 7/8 x 15/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1942.11

Page from the St. Petersburg album

Mughal dynasty, calligraphy 1608-9, borders 1756-57
India
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
H x W: 30.5 x 17.1 cm (12 x 6 3/4 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1942.16b

Bowl

Saljuq period, early 13th century
Iran, Kashan
Stone-paste painted over glaze with enamel (mina’i)
H x W x D: 11.1 x 47.8 x 47.8 cm (4 3/8 x 18 13/16 x 18 13/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1943.3

Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (died 1020); recto: text and illustration: Rustam rescues Bijan from the well; verso: text

Inju dynasty, Mongol period, February 1341 (Ramadan 741 A.H.)
Iran, Shiraz
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 14.8 x 23.4 cm (5 13/16 x 9 3/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1945.7

Bookbinding

Mamluk period, late 14th century
Egypt
Dark brown leather on pasteboard, gold tooling
H x W: 27.6 x 68 cm (10 7/8 x 26 3/4 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1945.15

Folio from a Qur’an, Sura 13:2-3

Abbasid period, 10th century
North Africa or Near East
Ink, color, and gold on parchment
H x W: 20.4 x 30.2 cm (8 1/16 x 11 7/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1945.17

Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); The story of Khusraw and the hermit (the old astrologer greets Khusraw Parviz at the door of his hermitage); reverse: illustration and text, Khusraw Parviz’s letter to Caesar of Rome

Il-Khanid dynasty, 1300-1350
Iran
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
H x W: 17 x 13.2 cm (6 11/16 x 5 3/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1945.21.1

Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); recto: text, Rustam came before Kavus after spying on Sohrab; verso: illustration and text, Sohrab summons Hajir and surveys the Persian camp

Il-Khanid dynasty, Mongol period, early 14th century
Probably Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W (overall): 25 x 18.2 cm (9 13/16 x 7 3/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1945.24.1

Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); recto: text, Manija takes Bijan to her chamber in Afrasiyab’s palace, Afrasiyab learns of Bijan’s presence; verso: Piran stays the execution of Bijan at the very foot of the gibbet

Il-Khanid dynasty, 1300-1350
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W (overall): 26.4 x 18.4 cm (10 3/8 x 7 1/4 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1945.26.1

Folio from the Silsilat al-dhahab (Chain of gold) in the Haft awrang (Seven thrones) by Jami (d.1492)

Safavid period, 1556-1565
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 34.2 x 23.2 cm (13 7/16 x 9 1/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.12.9

Folio from the Haft awrang (Seven thrones) by Jami (d. 1492); recto: The wise old man chides a foolish youth; verso: text

Safavid period, 1556-1565
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 34.2 x 23.2 cm (13 7/16 x 9 1/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.12.10

Folio from the Silsilat al-dhahab (Chain of gold) in the Haft awrang (Seven thrones) by Jami (d. 1492); verso: The simple peasant entreats the salesman not to sell his wonderful donkey; recto: text

Safavid period, 1556-1565
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 34.2 x 23.2 cm (13 7/16 x 9 1/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.12.38

Folio from the Silsilat al-dhahab (Chain of gold) in the Haft awrang (Seven thrones) by Jami (d.1492)

Safavid period, 1556-1565
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 34.2 x 23.2 cm (13 7/16 x 9 1/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.12.39

Folio from the Yusuf u Zulaykha in the Haft awrang (Seven thrones) by Jami (d.1492)

Safavid period, 1556-1565
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 34.2 x 23.2 cm (13 7/16 x 9 1/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.12.90

Folio from a Haft Awrang (Seven thrones) by Jami (d.1492); verso: Yusuf preaches to Zulaykha’s maidens in her garden; recto: text

Safavid period, 1556-1565
Iran
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper

H x W: 34.2 x 23.2 cm (13 7/16 x 9 1/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.12.114

Folio from a Haft Awrang (Seven Thrones) by Jami (d.1492); recto: Yusuf gives a royal banquet in honor of his marriage; verso: text

Safavid period, 1556-1565
Iran
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
H x W: 34.2 x 23.2 cm (13 7/16 x 9 1/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.12.132

Folio from a Haft Awrang (Seven Thrones) by Jami (d.1492); recto: the gnostic has a vision of angels carrying trays of light to the poet Sa’di; verso: text

Safavid period, 1556-1565
Iran
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
H x W: 34.2 x 23.2 cm (13 7/16 x 9 1/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.12.147

Folio from a Haft Awrang (Seven Thrones) by Jami (d. 1492): The Townsman Robs the Villager’s Orchard

Safavid period, 1556-1565
Iran
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
H x W: 34.2 x 23.2 cm (13 7/16 x 9 1/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.12.179

Folio from a Haft awrang (Seven thrones) by Jami (d. 1492)

Safavid period, 1556-1565
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 34.2 x 23.2 cm (13 7/16 x 9 1/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.12.186

Folio from a Haft awrang (Seven thrones) by Jami (d.1492); recto: Solomon and Bilqis sit together and converse frankly; verso: text

Safavid period, 1556-1565
Iran
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
H x W: 34.2 x 23.2 cm (13 7/16 x 9 1/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.12.188

Folio from a Haft awrang (Seven thrones) by Jami (d. 1492)

Safavid period, 1556-1565
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 34.2 x 23.2 cm (13 7/16 x 9 1/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.12.259

Folio from a Haft Awrang (Seven Thrones) by Jami (d.1492); recto: Majnun comes before Layli disguised as a sheep; verso: text

Safavid period, 1556-1565
Iran
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
H x W: 34.2 x 23.2 cm (13 7/16 x 9 1/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.12.264

Double-folio from the Haftawrang (Seven Thrones) by Jami (d. 1492): The Miraj of the Prophet (f. 275a)

Safavid period, 1556-1565
Iran
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
H x W: 34.2 x 23.2 cm (13 7/16 x 9 1/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.12.275

Album folio; A winter scene, A Sufi and courtier conversing at a shrine

Safavid period, mid-16th century
Iran, Qazvin or Tabriz
Opaque watercolor and ink on paper
H x W: 32.8 x 22.6 cm (12 15/16 x 8 7/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.13

Composite album folio, Dancing sufis; Cluster of primrose, calligraphic panels

Safavid period, ca. 1575
Iran, Qazvin
Ink, color, and gold on paper
H x W (album sheet): 45 x 30.3 cm (17 11/16 x 11 15/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.15a-d

Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); verso: Arzu, the jeweler’s daughter, plays before Bahram Gur; recto: text: Bahram reaches the jeweler’s house

Mongol period, 1303-1357
Iran
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W (image size): 22.7 x 15.4 cm (8 15/16 x 6 1/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.16

Bowl

Fatimid period, 12th century
Egypt
earthenware painted over glaze with luster
H x W: 6.7 x 26.1 cm (2 5/8 x 10 1/4 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1946.30

Folio from an Arabic translation of De materia medica by Dioscorides (ca. 40-90 C.E.); recto: The Greek physician Erasistratos with an assistant; verso: text

Abbasid period, 1224 (621 A.H.)
Iraq, Probably Baghdad
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 10.8 x 16.9 cm (4 1/4 x 6 5/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1947.5

Bowl

late 12th-early 13th century
Syria, Raqqa
Stone-paste painted under glaze
H x W: 7.6 x 26.6 cm (3 x 10 1/2 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1947.8

Beaker

Mamluk period, late 13th century
Syria
Glass
H x Diam: 30 × 18 cm (11 13/16 × 7 1/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1948.14

Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); verso: Gushtasp kills the dragon; recto: text: Ahran asks Qaesar for his daughter’s hand, Miran puts Ahran in touch with Gushtasp

Inju dynasty, Mongol period, February 1341 (Ramadan 741 A.H.)
Iran, Shiraz
Ink, opaque watercolor on paper
H x W: 36.8 x 30 cm (14 1/2 x 11 13/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1948.15

Flask

Fatimid period, mid 10th century
Egypt
Rock crystal, with enameled gold mount
H x W x D (overall): 15.1 x 6.8 x 3.9 cm (5 15/16 x 2 11/16 x 1 9/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1949.14

Ascension of Solomon

Safavid period, early 16th century
Iran, Tabriz
Ink, color, and gold on paper
H x W (drawing): 30.6 × 19.7 cm (12 1/16 × 7 3/4 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1950.1

Rosewater bottle

Buyid period, early 12th century
Iran
Silver gilt
H x W x D: 24.9 x 12 x 12 cm (9 13/16 x 4 3/4 x 4 3/4 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1950.5

Candlestick

Saljuq period, ca. 1150-1200
Afghanistan
Brass, hammered and chased, inlaid with copper, silver, and black organic material
H x W x D: 40.3 x 47.7 x 47.7 cm (15 7/8 x 18 3/4 x 18 3/4 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1951.17

Brass Incense burner

Abbasid period, 8th-9th century
Egypt
Brass
H x W x D: 31.5 x 21.2 x 40.8 cm (12 3/8 x 8 3/8 x 16 1/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1952.1

Plate

Samanid period, 10th century
Iran or Afghanistan
Earthenware painted under glaze
H x Diam: 6 x 46.8 cm (2 3/8 x 18 7/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1952.11

Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d. 1020); recto: Rustam lifts Afrasiyab from the saddle; verso: text: Pishang’s letter to Kay Qubad and his plea for reconciliation

Inju dynasty, Mongol period, February 1341 (Ramadan 741 A.H.)
Iran, Shiraz
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
H x W: 8.6 x 17.1 cm (3 3/8 x 6 3/4 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1952.35

Jar

Abbasid period, 10th century
Iraq
Earthenware painted over glaze with luster
H x W x D: 28.2 x 23.2 x 23.2 cm (11 1/8 x 9 1/8 x 9 1/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1953.90

Dish

Samanid period, 10th century
Iran
Earthenware painted over glaze
H x W: 5 x 42.7 cm (1 15/16 x 16 13/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1954.16

Detached folio from a copy of Aja’ib al-Makhluqat wa ghara’ib al-mawjudat (The Wonders of Creation and the Oddities of Existence) by Zakariyya ibn Muhammad al-Qazwini (d. 1283); recto: Symbol of the Moon, Sphere of the Moon; verso: Phases of the Moon

early 15th century
Iraq or Eastern Turkey
Opaque watercolor, ink, gold and silver on paper
H x W (recto figure painting): 10.2 × 9 cm (4 × 3 9/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1954.33

Folio from a copy of Aja’ib al-makhluqat wa ghara’ib al-mawjudat (The Wonders of Creation and the Oddities of Existence) by Zakariyya ibn Muhammad al-Qazwini (d.1283); recto: Constellation al-Dubb al-Akbar or Ursa Major (Greater Bear or Big Dipper), Draco (al-Tinnin); verso: Cepheus (Qifa’us), Bootes (al-‘Awwa’)

early 15th century
Iraq or Eastern Turkey
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
H x W (recto bear): 9.9 × 16.6 cm (3 7/8 × 6 9/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1954.39

Folio from a copy of Aja’ib al-makhluqat wa ghara’ib al-mawjudat (The Wonders of Creation and the Oddities of Existence) by Zakariyya ibn Muhammad al-Qazwini (d.1283); recto: Constellations Corona Borealis (al-Fakka) , Hercules (al-Jathi), Lyre (al-Shalyaq), Cygnus (al-Taya’ir); verso: Constellations of Cassiopeia (Dhat al-Kursi) and Perseus (Barsiya’us)

early 15th century
Iraq or Eastern Turkey
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
Diam (recto diagram): 6.6 cm (2 5/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1954.40

Folio from a Aja-ib al-Makhluqat (Wonders of Creation) by al-Qazvini

early 15th century
Iraq or Eastern Turkey
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
H x W (recto angel): 20.5 × 16.8 cm (8 1/16 × 6 5/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1954.51

Folio from a Aja’ib al-makhluqat (Wonders of Creation) by al-Qazvini

early 15th century
Iraq or Eastern Turkey
Opaque watercolor, ink, gold and silver on paper
H x W: 32.7 x 22.4 cm (12 7/8 x 8 13/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1954.59

Folio from a Aja’ib al-makhluqat (Wonders of Creation) by al-Qazvini

The Traveler’s Rescue by the Great Bird (al-Ta’ir al-Kabir), from Aja’ib al-makhluqat (Wonders of Creation) by al-Qazvini

Aq Qoyunlu dynasty, Turkmen period, early 15th century
Iraq or Eastern Turkey
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
H x W: 32.7 x 22.4 cm (12 7/8 x 8 13/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1954.63

The Sea Cow (Baqar al-Ma’); folio from a Aja’ib al-makhluqat (“Wonders of Creation”) by al-Qazvini

Ebony Tree (Abnus) and Citron (Utruj); folio from a Aja’ib al-makhluqat (“Wonders of Creation”)

early 15th century
Iraq or Eastern Turkey
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
H x W: 32.7 x 22.4 cm (12 7/8 x 8 13/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1954.72

Onager (Himar al-Wahsh), from Aja’ib al-makhluqat (Wonders of Creation) by al-Qazvini

early 15th century
Iraq or Eastern Turkey
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
H x W: 32.7 x 22.4 cm (12 7/8 x 8 13/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1954.86

Giraffe (Zurafah), from Aja’ib al-makhluqat (Wonders of Creation) by al-Qazvini

Elephant (Fil), from Aja’ib al-makhluqat (Wonders of Creation), by al-Qazvini

early 15th century
Iraq or Eastern Turkey
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
H x W: 32.7 x 22.4 cm (12 7/8 x 8 13/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1954.95

Fabulous Beast of Tibet (Sanajah) from Aja’ib al-makhluqat (Wonders of Creation), by al-Qazvini

early 15th century
Iraq or Eastern Turkey
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
H x W: 32.7 x 22.4 cm (12 7/8 x 8 13/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1954.112

Bowl

Safavid period, 1500-1510
Iran
Silver inlaid with gold and niello
H x W x D: 3.2 x 11.2 x 11.2 cm (1 1/4 x 4 7/16 x 4 7/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1954.115

Basin

Ayyubid period, Reign of Sultan Najmal-Din Ayyub, 1247-1249
Syria, Probably Damascus
Brass, inlaid with silver
H x W x D: 22.5 x 50 x 50 cm (8 7/8 x 19 11/16 x 19 11/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1955.10

Ewer

Ayyubid period, June-July 1232
Syria
Brass with silver inlay
H x W x D: 36.7 x 21.3 x 21.3 cm (14 7/16 x 8 3/8 x 8 3/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1955.22

Mosque lamp

Mamluk period, ca. 1360
Egypt
Glass, enameled and gilded
H x W: 33.6 x 30.5 cm (13 1/4 x 12 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1957.19

Dish

Saljuq period, late 12th-early 13th century
Iran, Kashan region
Stone-paste decorated with brown lustre over glaze
H x W: 43.2 x 7.5 cm (17 x 2 15/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1957.21

Bowl

Samanid period, 10th century
Iran
Earthenware painted under glaze
H x W x D: 11.2 x 39.3 x 39.3 cm (4 7/16 x 15 1/2 x 15 1/2 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1957.24

Canteen

Ming dynasty, early 15th century
China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen
Porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze
H x W x D: 46.9 × 41.8 × 21.3 cm (18 7/16 × 16 7/16 × 8 3/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1958.2

Dagger and scabbard with name of Jahangir on upper chape

Mughal dynasty, second quarter of 17th century
Iran
Steel, ivory, black mastic, gold, silver, jewels, wood
H x W x D (overall): 29.6 x 5.9 x 3.6 cm (11 5/8 x 2 5/16 x 1 7/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1958.15a-b

Footed bowl with cover

Mamluk period, early 14th century
Syria
Glass with gilded and enamelled decoration
H x W x D: 31.1 x 21 x 21 cm (12 1/4 x 8 1/4 x 8 1/4 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1958.16a-b

Bowl

Saljuq period, 13th century
Iran
Stone-paste painted under glaze
H x W: 10.8 x 20.3 cm (4 1/4 x 8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1967.24

Bowl

Saljuq period, 13th century
Iran
Stone-paste painted under glaze
H x W: 10.5 x 20 cm (4 1/8 x 7 7/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1967.25

Shah Tahmasp I seated on rock

Safavid period, 17th century
Iran
Ink and gold on paper
H x W: 21 x 12 cm (8 1/4 x 4 3/4 in)
Gift of Professor Alban G. Widgery of Winchester, Virginia
Freer Gallery of Art
F1968.11a

Plate

Ottoman period, early 16th century
Turkey, Iznik
Stone-paste painted under transparent glaze
H x Diam: 8.1 x 39.5 cm (3 3/16 x 15 9/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1970.2

Plate

Ottoman period, 1525-35
Turkey, Iznik
Stone-paste body painted under glaze
H x W x D: 8.2 x 39.2 x 39.2 cm (3 1/4 x 15 7/16 x 15 7/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1977.20

Incense burner

Delhi Sultanate period, 15th century
India
Brass
H x W x D: 17.2 x 12.2 x 14.9 cm (6 3/4 x 4 13/16 x 5 7/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1991.12

Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi; recto: text, Faridun captures Zahhak; verso: Faridun strikes Zahhak with the ox-headed mace

Safavid period, Reign of Shah Tahmasp, circa 1525
Iran, Tabriz
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
H x W (verso painting): 27.2 × 17.4 cm (10 11/16 × 6 7/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1996.2

Folio from a Gulistan (Rosegarden) by Sa’di; recto: Sa’di in the rose garden; verso: text

Mughal dynasty, Reign of Shah Jahan, Dated 1468-69 (873 A.H.), margins added early 16th century, illustrations: Mughal period, ca. 1645
Historic Iran, present-day Afghanistan
Ink, gold, and opaque watercolor on paper
H x W (open): 25.4 x 33.9 cm (10 x 13 3/8 in)
Gift of the Art and History Trust in honor of Ezzat-Malek Soudavar

Freer Gallery of Art
F1998.5.6

Folio from a Gulistan (Rosegarden) by Sa’di; recto: text with illuminated border; verso: text with illuminated border

Timurid, Safavid, and Mughal periods, Text dated 1468, illumination added early 16th c., paintings repainted ca. 1645
Present-day Afghanistan, India, and Iran
Ink, gold, and opaque watercolor on paper
H x W (page): 24.6 x 16 cm (9 11/16 x 6 5/16 in)
Gift of the Art and History Trust in honor of Ezzat-Malek Soudavar

Freer Gallery of Art
F1998.5.7

Cushion cover

Ottoman period, ca. 1600
Turkey
Compound satin and velvet

H x W: 175 x 128.5 cm (68 7/8 x 50 9/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F1998.306

A Seated Nobleman

Safavid period, 1660s
Iran
Oil on woven fabric support mounted with decorated paper surrounds backed with 18th century Indian album page paper and a smaller piece of calligraphy on the back
H x W (overall): 37.1 x 28 cm (14 5/8 x 11 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment in memory of Cynthia Ratcliff Helms
Freer Gallery of Art
F1999.18

Bowl

Abbasid period, 9th century
Iraq, Samarra
Earthenware painted over glaze with luster

H x Diam: 6.7 x 22.1 cm (2 5/8 x 8 11/16 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F2005.10

Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d. 1020); recto: Kay Ka’us chained in a grotto by the white demon; verso: text, Ka’us sends a letter to Rustam the son of Zal and asks for help

Safavid period, 1576-1577
Iran, Qazvin
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
H x W (sheet): 45.6 x 31.5 cm (17 15/16 x 12 3/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment in appreciation of Mary Wilkie Ebrahimi and her exemplary service to the Galleries as vice chair of the Board of Trustees (2003-2007)
Freer Gallery of Art
F2006.7

Poetry anthology manuscript in safina format of 25 folios

Timurid period and Qajar period, 15th and 19th century
Iran
Ink and colors on paper; leather binding
H x W (page): 21.5 × 7.9 cm (8 7/16 × 3 1/8 in)
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Freer Gallery of Art
F2015.1

Basin

Mamluk period, 1340-50
Egypt or Syria
Brass inlaid with silver and black organic material
H x Diam: 26 × 57 cm (10 1/4 × 22 7/16 in)
Purchase in honor of Julian Raby’s outstanding leadership as director of the Freer|Sackler (2002-2017) — Charles Lang Freer Endowment and funds provided by Giuseppe Eskenazi and the Friends of the Freer and Sackler Galleries
Freer Gallery of Art
F2017.12

Lampstand

Safavid period, ca.1575-1625
Iran
Brass, incised and inlaid with black and red compounds
H x Diam: 35.8 × 23.6 cm (14 1/8 × 9 5/16 in)
Diam (mouth): 11.5 cm (4 1/2 in)
Purchase – In memory of Dr. Djamchid Darvich-Kodjouri and Mrs. Charlotte Darvich-Kodjouri
Freer Gallery of Art
F2019.2.1

Folio from a Qur’an

12th century
Iran
Ink, colors, and gold on paper
H x W: 50.5 x 30 cm (19 7/8 x 11 13/16 in)
Bequest of Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian in memory of Dr. Abolbashar Farmanfarmaian
Freer Gallery of Art
F2020.1.4

Bifolio from a Qur’an

Ottoman period, 1561-1562 (969 A.H.)
Egypt
Ink, opaque watercolors, and gold on paper
H x W (overall): 40.5 x 70 cm (15 15/16 x 27 9/16 in)
Bequest of Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian in memory of Dr. Abolbashar Farmanfarmaian
Freer Gallery of Art
F2020.1.7