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The Iranians Seek Refuge on Mount Hamavan, While the Turanians Inspect Their Deserted Camp,
Big Head Shahnama, Iran, 1494
David Collection Museum, Copenhagen


A larger image of The Iranians Seek Refuge on Mount Hamavan, While the Turanians Inspect Their Deserted Camp, Big Head Shahnama, Iran, 1494. David Collection Museum, Copenhagen.

Miniature from a copy of Firdawsi’s Shahnama. “The Iranians Seek Refuge on Mount Hamavan, While the Turanians Inspect Their Deserted Camp”
Iran, Lahijan; 1494
Leaf: 34.8 × 24.5 cm

When Kay Khusraw, son of the murdered Prince Siyawush, had been brought back to Iran and succeeded his grandfather Kay Kaus as king of Iran, he carried out constant campaigns against the Turanians to avenge his father.

On this miniature, the Turanians, under the good and able general Piran, have just vanquished part of the Iranian army, forcing the rest to flee into the mountains.

The beautifully decorated tents in the deserted camp form a sharp contrast to the slain Iranians, whose bloodstained bodies are depicted with a grim realism that is not commonly found in Persian miniatures.

Inv. no. 44/2006
Source: David Collection Museum, Copenhagen

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Copenhagen, The David Collection
Title of Work: Shahnama (Big Head)
Manuscript: Big Head
Accession Number: 44/2006
Chapter 13b - Kamus-i Kashani
Scene: The Turanians attack the Iranians’ stronghold on Mount Hamavan
Dimensions (h x w): 257 x 153 mm
Format: Stepped, breaking through frame
Hijri Date: 899
Gregorian Date: 1493 (to nearest hijri year)
School: Lahijan, Gilan
Source: Shahnama Project