Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); recto: Sindukht learns of Rudaba’s actions; verso: text: Mehrab learns of Rudaba’s feeling; altered folio recto: text: Sindukht query about Zal; verso: text
HISTORICAL PERIOD: Il-Khanid dynasty, ca. 1330-1340
MEDIUM: Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
DIMENSIONS: H x W: 59.4 x 40.2 cm (23 3/8 x 15 13/16 in)
GEOGRAPHY: Iran, Tabriz
CREDIT LINE: Purchase — Smithsonian Unrestricted Trust Funds, Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program, and Dr. Arthur M. Sackler
COLLECTION: Henri Vever collection
ACCESSION NUMBER: S1986.102a-d

PROVENANCE
To 1913: Georges Demotte (1877-1923), Paris, France. [1]
From 1913 to 1942: Henri Vever (1854-1942), Paris and Noyers, France, purchased from Georges Demotte, Paris, France on November 13, 1913. [2]
From 1942 to 1986: Family member, Paris and Boulogne, France, by inheritance from Henri Vever, Paris and Noyers, France. [3]
From 1986: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, purchased from a family member, Paris and Boulogne, France. [4]
Notes:
[1] See Susan Nemazee, "Appendix 7: Chart of Recent Provenance" in An Annotated and Illustrated Checklist of the Vever Collection, Glenn D. Lowry et al (Washington, D.C.: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; Seattle and London: University of Washington Press, 1988), p. 401. See also Glen D. Lowry and Susan Nemazee, "Appendix 2: Ledger of Acquisitions, 1894 and 1907-17" in A Jeweler’s Eye: Islamic Arts of the Book from the Vever Collection (Washington, D.C.: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; Seattle and London: University of Washington Press, 1988), p. 235.
[2] See note 1.
[3] See the Agreement for the Purchase and Sale of the Henri Vever Collection of January 9, 1986, Collections Management Office.
[4] See note 3.

PREVIOUS OWNERS
Francois Mautin French, born 1907
Henri Vever 1854 - 1942
Georges Demotte 1877 - 1923

DESCRIPTION
Detached folio from a dispersed copy of Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi; bifolio composed of a painting and an altered folio of text; text: Persian in black naskh script, headings in gold naskh outlined in black; recto: Sindukht learns of Rudaba's actions, six columns, 31 lines; verso: text, Mehrab learns of Rudaba's feelings, six columns, 31 lines; altered folio recto: text, Sindukht's query about Zal, six columns, 31 lines; verso: text, six columns, 25 lines; one of a group of 16 folios.
Border: The painting and the text are set in gold, black and blue rulings on cream-colored paper.
Source: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington DC, S1986.102

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Fig. 90 (cat. no. 37). Sindukht Becoming Aware of Rudaba’s Actions, page from the Great Mongol Shahnama (Book of Kings), Iran (probably Tabriz)
1330s. Ink, colors, and gold on paper. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution,Washington, D.C.; Purchase, Smithsonian Unrestricted Trust Funds, Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program, and Dr. Arthur M. Sackler
(S1986.102)

37     Fig. 90
Sindukht Becoming Aware of Rudaba’s Actions
Image: 24.8 x 19.7 cm (9¾ x 7¾ in.)
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.; Purchase, Smithsonian Unrestricted Trust Funds, Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program, and Dr. Arthur M. Sackler
(S1986.102)

The story of Zal, son of Sam, a paladin of Shah Manuchihr of Iran, and of his love for Rudaba, daughter of the rival king of Kabul, is told in the early chapters of the Shahnama (see cat. no. 33). After consulting his sages, Sam granted his son permission to marry Rudaba. On hearing of the approval, Zal sent word to his beloved by way of her maid, who was richly rewarded and sent back to Zal with gifts. Rudaba’s mother, Sindukht, however, intercepted the messenger and questioned her. The maid began to lie about her activities, but Sindukht searched her and found the gifts. Angered and saddened by Rudaba’s secretiveness, Sindukht shut herself in the palace and summoned her daughter.
    The subject of the painting is identified here by the title above it and shows Sindukht, her hand raised in admonition, with Rudaba and the maid.¹ An elaborate necklace, almost identical to cat. no. 148, is prominently displayed in the foreground. This is a slight deviation from the text, which makes no mention of a necklace as part of the maid’s reward, and reports only that Rudaba generously gave her gold coins and clothing and sent a fine turban and a ring to Zal.

1. Grabar and Blair 1980, pp. 76-77, no. 10; Lowry 1988, p. 80, no. 9
Source: pp. 87 & 254, The Legacy of Genghis Khan Courtly Art and Culture in Western Asia 1256-1353

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Washington DC, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Title of Work: Shahnama (Great Mongol)
Manuscript: S1986.100-107
Accession Number: S86.0102
Chapter 7 - Manuchihr (120 years)
Scene: Sindukht learns of Zal and Rudaba
Dimensions (h x w): 246 x 196 mm
Format: Rectangular within borders
Reconstructed Folio: 019r
Gregorian Date: 1335 (circa)
School: Tabriz
Source: Shahnama Project