Details

Library of Congress genre(s)

• Poetry [Browse]

Getty AAT genre

• Headpieces (layout features)—Islamic Empire—16th century [Browse]
• Illuminated manuscripts—Islamic Empire—16th century [Browse]

Summary note

Lavishly illuminated copy of the Shāhnāmah, containing 33 high-quality, well-preserved miniatures of the 16th century. Preceded by the Bāysunghurī Introduction on fol. 1b-13a.

Notes

• Ms. codex.
• Title from title page (fol. 1a).
• Physical description: 25 lines per page, in four columns; written in small nastaʻliq in black on tan glazed, laid Arabic paper. Text occasionally written on a diagonal. Text framed in gold and blue, with marginal red border; columns separated by double gold lines. Original leaves mounted on new borders of glazed, laid European paper. Fol. 255, 386-387, 431, 488 are replacements; on fol. 386, 431, the space for the miniatures is filled with unfinished sketches in ink, and miniature space on fol. 488 is left blank. Last two leaves patched; some leaves damp stained and smudged. Otherwise in good condition.
• Decoration: Title page on fol. 1b elaboratedly illuminated in gold and color which have faded somewhat. On fol. 13b, illuminated ʻunwān in gold and color. Headings in blue in a rectangular frame decorated in gold and color. Spaces between diagonal text illuminated with pattern similar to headings. With 33 well-preserved miniatures of high quality, likely 16th century.
• Origin: Copy completed in Jumādá I 951 H [July-August 1544] (fol. 629a).

Binding note

Rebound in modern maroon leather. Original 17th-century binding is full green leather with filigree central mandorla and corner pieces on colored background; brown leather doublures.

Language note

Persian.

Contents

• Miniatures: fol. 5a: [Firdawsi and the four court poets]
• fol. 26a: [Zahhak enthroned]
• fol. 39a: [Zahhak brought before Faridun]
• fol. 48b: [Tur, Sakila slay Iraj]
• fol. 53a: [Manuchihr kills Tur]
• fol. 63b: [Zal marries Rudabah]
• fol. 73b: [Rustam's birth]
• fol. 75b: [Rustam slays White Elephant]
• fol. 96b: [Rustam slays White Div]
• fol. 100a: [King Mazandaran dies]
• fol. 105b: [Kai Kaʾus air-borne]
• fol. 121a: [Rustam mourns Suhrab]
• fol. 139a: [Siyavash hunts onager with Afrasiyab]
• fol. 152a: [Guruy executes Siyavash]
• fol. 159b: [Rustam slays Pilsam]
• fol. 173b: [Rustam, Zal before Kay Khusraw]
• fol. 186b: [Giv strikes crown from Tazhav's head].
• fol. 209a: [Rustam slays Ashkabus, horse]
• fol. 224a: [Rustam vanquishes Puladvand]
• fol. 245a: [Rustam rescues Bizhan from pit]
• fol. 270b: [Piran escapes from Gudarz but is later killed]
• fol. 287a: [Kay Khusraw, Iranians triumph]
• fol. 307b: [Kay Khusraw slays Afrasiyab while Garsivaz looks on]
• fol. 323a: [Gushtasp slays wolf]
• fol. 338b: [Isfandiyar kills Bidirafsh]
• fol. 350b: [Isfandiyar's first exploit: Fights wolves]
• fol. 353a: [Isfandiyar's fifth exploit: Kills Simah Barzin]
• fol. 361a: [Gushtasp receives Isfandiyar]
• fol. 367b: [Rustam kicks aside rocked pushed by Bahman]
• fol. 375a: [Rustam boasts during trial of strength with Isfandiyar]
• fol. 380b: [Combat between Rustam and Isfandiyar]
• fol. 408b: [Bahman has Faramarz shot full of arrows in Kabul]
• fol. 598a: [Captured Qolun mortally wounds Bahram Chubinah].

Show 30 more Contents items

Provenance

On fol. 13b, owner's seal of Amān Allāh accompanied by a note stating that he presented the ms. to Yūsuf Khān Sarhang in Kurdistān in 1265 H [1848 or 9].

Source acquisition

Gift; Robert Garrett (Class of 1897), 1942.

References

Moghadam, M. E. et al. Garrett collection, no. 1

OCLC

773613629

Statement on language in description

Princeton University Library aims to describe library materials in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage. Read more...