Book of Kings (Shahnama)

Description Provenance Credit

Description Walters manuscript W.603 is an illuminated and illustrated incomplete copy of the Shahnamah (Book of kings) by Abu al-Qasim Firdawsi (died 411 or 416 AH/AD 1020-1025), dating between the 11th century AH/AD 17th and the 13th century AH/AD 19th. The text, written in black Nasta'liq script with chapter/section headings in red on a gold ground, is illustrated with 17 paintings. Two of the illustrations (fols. 2b and 269a) are in a clearly recognizable Qajar style and certainly date to the 13th century AH/AD 19th. The others may be late Safavid, repainted in the 13th century AH/AD 19th.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters

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Creator

Firdawsi (Persian, died 411-416 AH/AD 1020-1025) (Author)

Period

11th century AH/AD 17th century-13th century AH/AD 19th century (Qajar-Safavid)

Medium

ink and pigments on laid paper bound between boards covered with lacquer
(Manuscripts & Rare Books)

Accession Number

W.603

Measurements

Folio H: 13 3/8 x W: 7 11/16 in. (34 x 19.5 cm)

Geographies

Iran (Place of Origin)

Location Within Museum

Not On View

The Tomb of Firdawsi in a Landscape	Title
13th century AH/AD 19th century (Qajar)	Period
W.603.269A	Accession

Sa'd-i Vaqqas Kills Rustam-i Hurmuzd	Title
11th century AH/AD 17th century-13th century AH/AD 19th century (Safavid (?))	Period
W.603.260B	Accession

Mihr Hurmuzd Kills Khusraw Parviz	Title
11th century AH/AD 17th century-13th century AH/AD 19th century (Safavid (?))	Period
W.603.253B	Accession

Gurdiyah, Sister of Bahram Chubinah, Kills her Husband Gastahm	Title
11th century AH/AD 17th century-13th century AH/AD 19th century (Safavid (?))	Period
W.603.236A	Accession

Khusraw Parviz Battles Bahram Chubinah	Title
11th century AH/AD 17th century-13th century AH/AD 19th century (Safavid (?))	Period
W.603.222B	Accession
combat	Tags

Binding from Book of Kings (Shahnama)	Title
13th century AH/AD 19th century	Period
W.603.binding	Accession

Bahram Chubinah Defeats Khusraw Parviz in Combat	Title
11th century AH/AD 17th century-13th century AH/AD 19th century (Safavid (?))	Period
W.603.209A	Accession
combat	Tags

Bahram Gur Wrestles with Two Indian Champions in the Presence of Shangul, King of India	Title
11th century AH/AD 17th century-13th century AH/AD 19th century (Safavid (?))	Period
W.603.184B	Accession

Bahram Gur Hunting	Title
11th century AH/AD 17th century-13th century AH/AD 19th century (Safavid (?))	Period
W.603.172B	Accession

Shapur Captures the King of Rum	Title
11th century AH/AD 17th century-13th century AH/AD 19th century (Safavid (?))	Period
W.603.151B	Accession

Ardashir Kills Disobedient Warriors	Title
11th century AH/AD 17th century-13th century AH/AD 19th century (Safavid (?))	Period
W.603.132B	Accession
combat	Tags

Alexander the Great Fight the Abyssinians	Title
11th century AH/AD 17th century-13th century AH/AD 19th century (Safavid (?))	Period
W.603.117B	Accession

The Hanging of Faramarz on the Order of Bahman	Title
11th century AH/AD 17th century-13th century AH/AD 19th century (Safavid (?))	Period
W.603.88A	Accession

Rustam Kills his Brother Shaghad Before Dying in the Pit	Title
11th century AH/AD 17th century-13th century AH/AD 19th century (Safavid (?))	Period
W.603.72B	Accession

Zavarah Kills Isfandiyar’s Son Nush-Azar	Title
11th century AH/AD 17th century-13th century AH/AD 19th century (Safavid (?))	Period
W.603.59B	Accession

Isfandiyar Ties the Hands of Gurgsar and Takes him Prisoner	Title
11th century AH/AD 17th century-13th century AH/AD 19th century (Safavid (?))	Period
W.603.35A	Accession

Isfandiyar Decapitates Bidarafsh	Title
11th century AH/AD 17th century-13th century AH/AD 19th century (Safavid (?))	Period
W.603.24B	Accession

Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni; Iyaz (His Slave); and the Poets Firdawsi, 'Unsuri, and 'Asjadi	Title
13th century AH/AD 19th century (Qajar)	Period
W.603.2B	Accession