17th-18th century
This manuscript is the first volume of a two-volume Shahnama by Firdawsi with further Shahnama inspired interpolated texts from the Garshaspnama and the Barzunama. The manuscript has 325 folios and is copied in nastaliq script. There are two illuminated panels at the beginning of the prose and poetry sections of the Shahnama. There are 34 illustrations that appear to have been painted when the manuscript was copied and 26 simple style illustrations that can be dated to a later phase. Overall, based on the style of the illustrations, illumination, and the interpolated texts, the creation of the manuscript can be attributed to the late 17th-early 18th century in Kashmir, the northern region of India under Mughal control. Later in the 19th century, the incomplete manuscript was furnished with simple style illustrations and possibly with a new illuminated panel at the beginning of the text.
36.8 x 23.5 cm (14 1/2 x 9 1/4 in.)
George McFadden, New York, (by 1987-1988), sold; to José M.Soriano, New York, (1988-2014), gift; to the Harvard Art Museums, 2014.
Painting with text; ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
16th centuryIndianInk, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
17th centuryPersianTwo-sided horizontal accordion-fold manuscript; ink and color on paper; with lacquered covers
19th centuryThaiThe twenty-sixth of a series of 54 backing sheets mounted in an album; ink and color on paper
16th centuryJapaneseOpaque watercolor and gold on paper
18th centuryIndianInk, opaque watercolor and gold on paper; Pahari Style, Kangra School
19th centuryIndianInk, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
16th centuryPersianInk, colors, and gold on paper
16th centuryInk, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
13th centuryEgyptianInk, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
16th and 19th centuryPersian