Cover of the manuscript accessioned as S1986.58.1, Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d. 1020)
Book cover for S1986.58.1, Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d. 1020), red leather cover with a border of multiple fillets.
- Provenance
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?- no later than 1923
Likely Georges Demotte (1877-1923), method of acquisition unknown [1]By 1923-1942
Henri Vever (1854-1942), mode of acquisition unknown [1]1942-1947
Jeanne Louise Monthiers (1861-1947), bequest of Henri Vever [2]1947-1986
Francois Mautin (1907-2003), bequest of Jeanne Louise Monthiers and Henri Vever [3]From 1986
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery purchased from Francois Mautin [4]Notes:
[1] See inscription on the interior of the manuscript's over, "Est. D. aspxx." Vever used "Est. D" as shorthand for "Estimation by Georges Demotte." Georges Demotte was a collector and dealer of Islamic and medieval European art. He had galleries in Paris and New York City.
[2] An accomplished French jeweler and collector, Henri Vever (1854-1942) amassed a large and impressive collection of works of art during his lifetime. His holdings in Japanese prints and Islamic arts of the books, especially from Iran and India, were among the most important assembled in the early twentieth century. This work was in Vever's collection at the time of his death in 1942. Vever purchased this manuscript before Demotte's death in 1923.
[3] Upon Henri Vever's death on September 25, 1942, his wife, Jeanne Louise Monthiers inherited this work. See exhibits F and G of Agreement of Purchase and Sale of the Henri Vever Collection, January 9, 1986, copy in object file.
[4] Upon the death of Jeanne Louise Monthiers, as stipulated in the will of Henri Vever, the family's assets were divided evenly between his two grandchildren. His only grandson, Francois Mautin inherited the collection known as "The Henri Vever Collection of Oriental Art and Manuscripts Including Persian and Indian Art and Manuscripts." This object is part of that collection. See exhibits F and G as cited in note 3.
[5] The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery purchased the collection from Francois Mautin on January 9, 1986. See purchase agreement, copy in object file.
Research completed June 16, 2022
- Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)
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Henri Vever 1854-1942
Jeanne Louise Monthiers 1861-1947
Georges Demotte 1877-1923
Francois Mautin 1907-2003
- Description
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Book cover for S1986.58.1, Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d. 1020), red leather cover with a border of multiple fillets.
- Marking(s)
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Affixed to inside of cover, octagonal sticker with blue border: “Mr. Vever” written in black ink on printed blue lines.
- Collection Area(s)
- Arts of the Islamic World
- Web Resources
- Whistler's Neighborhood
- Google Cultural Institute
- SI Usage Statement
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Usage Conditions Apply
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
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