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Illustrations from the Shahnama of Shah Tahmasp c. 1522-1540
from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York


"Firdausi's Parable of the Ship of Shi'ism", Folio 18v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.1



"The Feast of Sada", Folio 22v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.2



"Tahmuras Defeats the Divs", Folio 23v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.3



"Zahhak is Told His Fate", Folio 29v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1524Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.4



"Faridun Embraces Manuchihr", Folio 59v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.5



"Rudaba's Maids Return to the Palace", Folio 71v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.6



"Rudaba Makes a Ladder of Her Tresses", Folio 72v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.7



"Zal Consults the Magi", Folio 73v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.8



"Manuchihr Welcomes Sam but Orders War upon Mihrab", Folio 80v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.9



"Zal Questions Sam's Intentions Regarding the House of Mihrab", Folio 81v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.10



"Mihrab Vents His Anger Upon Sindukht", Folio 83v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.11



"Sam Seals His Pact with Sindukht", Folio 85v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.12



"The Shah's Wise Men Approve of Zal's Marriage", Folio 86v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.13



"Zal Expounds the Mysteries of the Magi", Folio 87v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.14



"Zal Slays Khazarvan", Folio 104r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.15



"Afrasiyab on the Iranian Throne", Folio 105r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.16



"Rustam's Fourth Course, He Cleaves a Witch", Folio 120v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.17



"Kai Kavus and Rustam Embrace", Folio 123r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.18



"Rustam Brings the Div King to Kai Kavus for Execution", Folio 127v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.19



"The Marriage of Sudaba and Kai Kavus", Folio 130r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.20



"Kai Kavus Ascends to the Sky", Folio 134r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.21



"Rustam Pained Before Kai Kavus", Folio 146r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.22



"Siyavush Stands Accused by Sudaba before Kai Kavus", Folio 163v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.23



"Sudaba's Second Accusation Against Siyavush is Judged", Folio 164v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.24



"Kai Kavus Upbraids Siyavush in a Letter", Folio 174r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.25



"Siyavush Plays Polo before Afrasiyab", Folio 180v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.26



"The Wedding of Siyavush and Farangis", Folio 185v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.28



"Siyavush Recounts His Nightmare to Farangis", Folio 195r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.29



"Rustam Blames Kai Kavus for the Death of Siyavush", Folio 202v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.30



"Surkha Captured by Faramarz is Condemned by Rustam", Folio 204v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.31



"Kai Khusrau is Discovered by Giv", Folio 210v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.32



"Kai Khusrau Rides Bihzad for the First Time", Folio 212r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.33



"Kai Khusrau's War Prizes Are Pledged", Folio 225v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.34



"The Iranians Mourn Farud and Jarira", Folio 236r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.35



"The Besotted Iranian Camp Attacked by Night", Folio 241r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.36



"The Battle of Pashan Begins", Folio 243v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.37



"Giv Avenges Bahram by Slaying Tazhav", Folio 248r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.39



"The Combat of Rustam and Ashkabus", Folio 268v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.40



"Shangul Stirs the Khaqan's Council to War on Rustam", Folio 276v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.41



"Shangul Stirs the Khaqan's Council to War on Rustam", Folio 276v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.41



"Bizhan Receives an Invitation through Manizha's Nurse", Folio 300v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.42



"The Fifth Joust of the Rooks: Ruhham Versus Barman", Folio 342v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: 1525-30Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.43



"The Sixth Joust of the Rooks: Bizhan Versus Ruyyin", Folio 343r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.44



"The Tenth Joust of the Rooks: Barta versus Kuhram," Folio 345r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.45



"The Final Joust of the Rooks: Gudarz Versus Piran", Folio 346r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.46



"Gustaham Slays Lahhak and Farshidvard", Folio 349v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.47



"The Night Battle of Kai Khusrau and Afrasiyab", Folio 367v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.48



"Kai Khusrau Defeats the Army of Makran", Folio 376v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.49



"Gushtasp Proves His Archery before Caesar," Folio 404r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.50



"Isfandiyar's Third Course: He Slays a Dragon", Folio 434v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.51



"Isfandiyar's Fourth Course: He Slays a Sorceress", Folio 435v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.52



"Isfandiyar's Sixth Course: He Comes Through the Snow", Folio 438r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.53



"Rustam and Isfandiyar Begin Their Combat", Folio 461v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.54



"Rustam Slays Isfandiyar", Folio 466r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.55



"Rustam Avenges His Own Impending Death", Folio 472r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.56



"Faramarz Encircled While Battling Bahman", Folio 475r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.57



"Hurmuzd I's Last Testament to Prince Bahram I", Folio 535r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.58



"The Coronation of the Infant Shapur II", Folio 538r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1525-30
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.59



"Caesar Captive Before Shapur II", Folio 543r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: 1530-35Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.60



"Bahrum Gur Before His Father, Yazdigird I", Folio 551v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.61



"Bahram Gur Pins the Coupling Onagers", Folio 568r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.62



"Bahram Gur Advances by Stealth against the Khaqan," Folio 577v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.63



"The Khaqan Captive Before Bahram Gur", Folio 578r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.64



"Bahram Gur Slays the Rhino-Wolf", Folio 586r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.65



"Yazdigird II Accedes to the Throne", Folio 592r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.66



"Sufarai's Victory over the Haital", Folio 595v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.67



"Nushirvan Promulgates His Reforms", Folio 602v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.68



"Buzurjmihr Appears at Nushirvan's Fifth Assembly", Folio 622r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.69



"Nushirvan Greets the Khaqan's Daughter", Folio 633v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.70



"Buzurjmihr Masters the Hindu Game of Chess", Folio 639v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.71



"Khusrau Parviz's Charge against Bahram Chubina", Folio 707v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.72



"The Angel Surush Rescues Khusrau Parviz from a Cul-de-sac", Folio 708v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.73



"Bahram Chubina Slays the Lion-Ape", Folio 715v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.74



"The Assassination of Khusrau Parviz", Folio 742v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1535
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.75



"The Coup against Usurper Shah", Folio 745v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020)
Date: ca. 1530-35
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold
Accession Number: 1970.301.76




Although the story is of earlier periods, the figures wear early 16th century Persian costume.

Composed in the tenth century by the poet Firdowsi, the Shah-nameh or Book of Kings is Iran's central literary work, a historical epic peopled with monarchs—some of inspiring goodness, others of unmatched wickedness—handsome paladins, beautiful maidens, malevolent witches, and treacherous demons. This manuscript of the Shah-nameh is the most sumptuous one ever produced. Containing scores of paintings where other sixteenth-century Shah-nameh manuscripts contain a dozen, the Houghton Shah-nameh (identified by the name of a previous owner, Arthur A. Houghton, Jr.) is thought to have been commissioned about 1522 by Shah Isma'il, the founder of the Safavid dynasty, as a present for his son, Prince Tahmasp. Court artists and craftsmen continued their work on the 759 folios for the better part of two decades; as a consequence, the book offers a fascinating mixture of artistic styles.

Illustrations from the Shahnama of Shah Tahmasp from the portion of the manuscript in the Museum of Contemporary Arts, Tehran.
Illustrations from the Shahnama of Shah Tahmasp from other institutions.



Persian Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers
Index of Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers




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