"The Combat of Qaran and Afrasiyab", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)

Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935–1020)
Object Name: Folio from an illustrated manuscript
Date: ca. 1330–40
Geography: Attributed to Iran, probably Isfahan
Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
Dimensions: Page: 8 x 5 1/8 in. (20.3 x 13 cm) Painting: 1 7/8 x 4 3/16 in. (4.8 x 10.6 cm)
Classification: Codices
Credit Line: Bequest of Monroe C. Gutman, 1974
Accession Number: 1974.290.5

Much of the Shahnama describes stirring battles between the Turanians and the Iranians and their leaders. Each chief had his own battle standard, as indicated here at the top of the picture.

Provenance: Ph. Walter Schulz, Leipzig, Germany (by 1914); Professor O. Moll, Düsseldorf, Germany ; Monroe C. Gutman, New York (by 1929–d. 1974; bequeathed to MMA)
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

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New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Title of Work: Shahnama (Gutman)
Manuscript: 1974.290.1-42, 2003.330.1-7
Accession Number: 1974.290.5
Chapter 8 - Nauzar (7 years)
Scene: The battle between Qarin and Afrasiyab
English Title: The Combat of Qaran and Afrasiyab
Rubric: 242
Format: Rectangular into the margins
Reconstructed Folio: A22v
Gregorian Date: 1335 (circa)
School: Isfahan
Source: Shahnama Project