شاهنامۀ فردوسی

Walters Ms. W.601, Book of kings (Shahnama)

Walters Ms. W.601, Book of kings (Shahnama)

Shāhnāmah

شاهنامه

Firdawsī (author)

Abū al-Qāsim Ḥasan ibn Isḥāq Firdawsī Ṭūsī (author)

ابو القاسم حسن بن اسحاق فردوسى طوسى (author)

This is an illuminated and illustrated Safavid copy of the Shāhnāmah (Book of kings) by Firdawsī (d. 411 or 416 AH / 1020-5 CE), dated 1028 AH / 1618-9 CE. The text, which is incomplete, begins with the preface (dībāchah), composed on the order of Bāysunghur. It is written in black nastaʿlīq script with chapter/section headings in red. The manuscript contains fourteen illustrations that appear to be later additions, perhaps dating to the 13th century A.H./ 19th century C.E., and may have been executed in India or Iran. The black leather binding is modern. For full description, see http://www.thedigitalwalters.org/Data/WaltersManuscripts/html/W601/description.html

The primary language in this manuscript is Persian.

Fourteen illustrations (fols. 27b, 42b, 72a, 79b, 108b, 122a, 131b, 157a, 195b, 234a, 245b, 278b, 289b, 308b, and 354a); three illuminated headpieces (fols. 1b, 15b, and 42b); framing lines in blue, red, gold, and black

fol. 1b Incipit page with illuminated headpiece Incipit; headpiece

fol. 15b Incipit page with illuminated headpiece Incipit; headpiece This incipit page with illuminated headpiece introduces the text of the Shāhnāmah.

fol. 27b Farīdūn and Jamshīd’s daughters Arnavāz and Shahrnavāz Illustration

fol. 42b Incipit page with illuminated headpiece Incipit; headpiece This incipit page has an illuminated headpiece introducing the Story of Sām.

fol. 72a Sām battles the dīv Nihangāl Illustration

fol. 79b Sām lassos Faghfūr of China Illustration

fol. 108b Rustam kills the white elephant Illustration

fol. 122a Rustam fights Afrāsiyāb Illustration

fol. 131b Rustam kills the White Dīv (the seventh feat) Illustration

fol. 157a Rustam kills Suhrāb Illustration

fol. 195b Gūdarz begs Kay Khusraw to return to Persia Illustration

fol. 234a Rustam shoots Ashkabūs Illustration

fol. 245b Rustam drags the Khāqān of China from his elephant Illustration

fol. 278b Rustam combats Barzū, his grandson Illustration

fol. 289b Rustam combats Pilsum, a Turanian warrior Illustration

fol. 308b Rustam rescues Bīzhan from the pit Illustration

fol. 354a Kay Khusraw kills Shīdah (Pashank) Illustration

1028 AH / 1618-9 CE

Walters Art Museum, 1931, by Henry Walters bequest

Persian

paper

image/jpeg

1618

All Walters manuscript images and descriptions provided here are copyrighted © The Walters Art Museum.