Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (died 1020); recto: text; verso: Shah Nushirvan bestows largess upon his minister Buzurjmihr

Historical period(s)
Il-Khanid dynasty, Mongol period, ca. 1330
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 41.2 x 29.5 cm (16 1/4 x 11 5/8 in)
Geography
Iran, Tabriz
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1942.2
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Manuscript
Type

Manuscript folio

Keywords
Buzurjmihr, Il-Khanid dynasty (1256 - 1353), Iran, Mongol period (1220 - 1380), naskh script, Nushirvan, shah, Shahnama
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

This folio depicts the Sasanian king Nushirvan, known as Khusraw IV (reigned 531-79), who was renowned for his justice and benevolence. It is one of several illustrations that highlight those character traits. When the able vizier Buzurgmihr interprets some of Nushirvan's troubling dreams, the vizier is rewarded with a series of banquets as well as bags of silver coins visible here.

The composition originally formed part of the celebrated Ilkhanid or Mongol Shahnama (1443-45), regarded as a landmark in the history of Persian manuscript painting for its size and the pictorial complexity of the illustrations.

Published References
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Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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