Folio from a Falnama (Book of omens), recto: Prophet Muhammad’s night journey (Mi’raj); verso: text

Detached folio from a dispersed copy of Falnama (Book of omens); text: Persian in black nasta’liq script; recto: illustration: Prophet Muhammad’s night journey to heaven (Mi’raj); verso: text, one column, eleven lines; one of a group of twenty folios.

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Historical period(s)
Safavid period, mid 1550s-early 1560s
Medium
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 58.9 x 44.9 cm (23 3/16 x 17 11/16 in)
Geography
Iran, Qazvin
Credit Line
Purchase — Smithsonian Unrestricted Trust Funds, Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program, and Dr. Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Accession Number
S1986.253
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Manuscript, Painting
Type

Detached manuscript folio

Keywords
angel, Buraq, Falnama, heaven, Henri Vever collection, Iran, lion, Muhammad, paradise, prophet, Safavid period (1501 - 1722)
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Detached folio from a dispersed copy of Falnama (Book of omens); text: Persian in black nasta'liq script; recto: illustration: Prophet Muhammad's night journey to heaven (Mi'raj); verso: text, one column, eleven lines; one of a group of twenty folios.

Label

The Ascent of the Prophet to Heaven is often conflated in Persian painting with a similar scene The Miraculous Night Journey of the Prophet. Although separate events, both depict Muhammad riding the fabled Buraq, a steed described as having a tail and feet like a camel's, a rump like a horse's, and an emerald saddle, pearl reins, and turquoise stirrups. The presence of the lion in the upper left corner of this painting, however, distinguishes the image from other portrayals of either the ascent to heaven or the night journey. The animal is a symbolic representation of Ali, the prophet's son-in-law, whom Shi´ites call the "lion of God."


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