"Iskandar Kills the Habash Monster", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi
Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935–1020)
Object Name: Folio from an illustrated manuscript
Date: ca. 1300–30
Geography: Attributed to Northwestern Iran or Baghdad
Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper
Dimensions: Painting: H. 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm) W. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm)
Page: H. 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm) W. 6 1/8 in. (15.6 cm)
Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm) W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm)
Classification: Codices
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1969
Accession Number: 69.74.5

The leader of a pack of huge wolves encountered by Iskandar and his troops in Habash (Abyssinia) is described by the poet as having one dark horn on its head. The artist has depicted a long unicorn-like creature and has added flames from the shoulders. The strong decorative sense so inherent in Persian painting throughout its history remains paramount in this painting, in spite of the fearsome struggle taking place, or the appearance of such foreign elements as Mongol costumes and caps.
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

---

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Title of Work: Shahnama (First Small)
Manuscript: 25.68.1, 34.24.1-6, 57.51.33, 69.74.1-9
Accession Number: 69.74.5
Chapter 20 - Iskandar (14 years)
Scene: Iskandar in Abyssinia
English Title: Iskandar slays the Habash monster
Dimensions (h x w): 54 x 124 mm
Format: Rectangular, breaking through frame
Reconstructed Folio: 202r
Gregorian Date: 1300 (circa)
School: Baghdad
Source: Shahnama Project