Folio from a Shahnameh (Book of Kings); Turanian Envoys Ask Mercy from Kay Khosrow
Artist/Maker
Persian
Datemid-16th century
MediumTempera and ink on vellum
DimensionsOverall: 12 11/16 × 8 3/4 in. (32.2 × 22.2 cm)
Credit LineGift of Frederick B. Artz (OC 1916)
Object number1958.10
Status
Not on viewAfter ascending the throne, Kay Khosrow, the king of Iran, invades the Turans. Following a series of great battles, he finally defeats the Turanians and their tyrannical king Afrasiyab. Here on the right, we see Kay Khosrow seated on this throne. To the left are envoys from the remaining Turanian army who have been sent to ask for mercy.
If we look to the top left of the page, we see two figures wearing white turbans folded around caps with tall red batons (taj-i haydari). These distinctive turbans were worn by followers of the Safavid ruler Shah Tahmasp (1514–1576) from roughly the 1520s to the early 1560s. They suggest that the Safavid court saw themselves reflected in these legends. In fact, during the early Safavid period, court fashions were often evident in the detailed paintings of illustrated royal manuscripts like the Shahnameh.
The pink and purple colors are typical of paintings made in Qazvin, the second capital of the Safavid Empire from 1555 to 1598.
ProvenanceFrederick Binkerd Artz [1894-1983], Oberlin, OH; by gift 1958 to Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OHExhibition History
If we look to the top left of the page, we see two figures wearing white turbans folded around caps with tall red batons (taj-i haydari). These distinctive turbans were worn by followers of the Safavid ruler Shah Tahmasp (1514–1576) from roughly the 1520s to the early 1560s. They suggest that the Safavid court saw themselves reflected in these legends. In fact, during the early Safavid period, court fashions were often evident in the detailed paintings of illustrated royal manuscripts like the Shahnameh.
The pink and purple colors are typical of paintings made in Qazvin, the second capital of the Safavid Empire from 1555 to 1598.
Between Page and Picture: History and Myth in the Persian Book of Kings
- Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (January 3, 2023 - August 6, 2023 )
Collections
- Asian
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We welcome additional information and suggestions for improvement. Please email us at AMAMcurator@oberlin.edu.
We welcome additional information and suggestions for improvement. Please email us at AMAMcurator@oberlin.edu.
9th–10th century
late 17th century
late 19th century
9th–10th century
early 20th century
ca. 1875
13th–16th century
