Minature painting - Single Combat of Iskandar and Fur
DATE: c. 1330
MATERIAL AND TECHNIQUE: Work on paper
CLASSIFICATION: Works on Paper
DIMENSIONS: Mat dimensions (external): 23 1/4 × 17 in. (59.06 × 43.18 cm)
DEPARTMENT: The Keir Collection of Islamic Art
CREDIT LINE: The Keir Collection of Islamic Art on loan to the Dallas Museum of Art
OBJECT NUMBER: K.1.2014.390

Keir catalogue number PP.01
Source: Dallas Museum of Art

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Fig. 36 (cat. no. 49). Iskandar Killing Fur of Hind, page from the Great Mongol Shahnama (Book of Kings), Iran (probably Tabriz), 1330s.
Ink, colors, and gold on paper. Keir Collection, England (PP1)


49     Fig. 36
Iskandar Killing Fur of Hind
Image: 20 x 29 cm (7⅞ x 11⅜ in.)
Keir Collection, England (PPI)
Los Angeles only

To avoid the bloodshed of battle, Iskandar and King Fur agreed to fight in single combat. Fur, a mighty and valiant warrior, proved a formidable opponent, and Iskandar began to fear for his life. However, a loud disturbance arose from the ranks and as the distracted Fur turned his head in that direction, Iskandar seized the opportunity to strike a fatal blow.
    The painting, which follows the text closely, shows the two mounted combatants in action, with their armies behind them.¹ As Fur of Hind, on the right, turns his head toward the noise, Iskandar charges forward, brandishing his sword. The decorated border around the illustration is unusual and does not appear on the other paintings from this manuscript.

1. Grabar and Blair 1980, pp. 118-19, no. 31.
Source: pp. 40 & 256, The Legacy of Genghis Khan Courtly Art and Culture in Western Asia 1256-1353

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London, Keir Collection
Accession Number: X01
Title of Work: Shahnama (Great Mongol)
Patron: Giyath el-din
Columns x Rows: 6 x 31
Page Size (h x w): 410 x 292 mm
Script: Naskh
Ms Type: Codex
Chapter 20 - Iskandar (14 years)
Scene: Iskandar kills the Fur of Hind
English Title: Iskandar kills the Fur of Hind
Dimensions (h x w): 200 x 290 mm
Format: Rectangular within borders
Reconstructed Folio: 168r
Gregorian Date: 1335 (circa)
School: Tabriz
Source: Shahnama Project