Shahnameh / Big Head
Object type: painting manuscript (detached folio)
Museum number: 1992,0507,0.1
Title (series): Shahnameh / Big Head
Description: Kay Khusrau and Fariburz; single manuscript page mounted on detached folio. From the Big-Head Shahnameh of Firdawsi. Kay Khusrau seated on his throne, while Fariburz, wearing a white turban with feather, kneels to the right. Chained prisoners stand in the bottom left corner and seated men to the right. Sixteen men in total. Four columns of text above image with title crossing the two centre columns.
Ink and opaque watercolour on paper.
School/style: Persian
Culture/period: Turkman dynasty
Date: 1493-1494 (AH 899)
Made in: North West Iran, Gilan (province)
Materials: paper
Technique: painted
Dimensions: Height: 34.4 centimetres (sheet) Width: 24.4 centimetres (sheet) Height: 15.4 centimetres (image) Width: 15.3 centimetres (image)
Curator's comments: After taking the fortress of Bahman and winning the Iranian throne, Kay Khusrau received his rival Fariburz, depicted here kneeling at the right of his throne. This painting comes from a Shahnameh produced for Sultan Ali Mirza, ruler of the Caspian province of Gilan. King Kay Kavus promised the throne to the one of two rivals, Kay Khusrau and Fariburz, who could successfully storm the fortress of Bahman. With divine intervention the castle wall collapsed and Kay Khusrau won the crown. Here Fariburz kneels before Kay Khusrau while prisoners from the fortress parade before them. Fariburz and Kay Khusrau were rivals for the Iranian throne. To determine who would prevail, King Kay Kavus promised the throne to the one who could storm the enemy fortress of Bahman. Eventually with divine intervention the castle wall collapsed, and Kay Khusrau won the crown. The manuscript was commissioned by the Sultan 'Ali Mirza of Gilan, and was produced in two volumes, of which one, is currently in Istanbul.
Associated names: Illustration to: Shahnameh Representation of: Kay Khursrau Representation of: Fariburz Authorised or patronised by: Sultan 'Ali Mirza
Associated Title: 'Big-Head Shahnameh' of Firdausi
Acquisition notes: Purchased from Sotheby's, 29/30th April, 1992, lot 297.
Registration number: 1992,0507,0.1
British Museum

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Geneva, Aga Khan Trust for Culture
Title of Work: Shahnama (Big Head)
Manuscript: Big Head
Accession Number: Ir.M. 60/A
Chapter 13b - Kamus-i Kashani
Scene: Rustam kills Ashkabus and his horse
Dimensions (h x w): 233 x 152 mm
Format: Stepped within borders
Hijri Date: 899
Gregorian Date: 1493 (to nearest hijri year)
School: Lahijan, Gilan
Source: Shahnama Project