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Rustam kills Ashkabus and his horse,
Chapter 13b: Kamus-i Kashani
Big Head Shahnama, Turkmen, Iran, 1494
Aga Khan Museum AKM92
ROSTAM SHOOTING THE TURANIAN HERO ASHKABUS
FOLIO FROM A DISPERSED SHAHNAMEH (BOOK OF KINGS) PRODUCED FOR SULTAN ‘ALI MIRZA
Accession Number: AKM92
Place: Lahijan, Iran
Dimensions: 23.3 x 15.2 cm
Date: 1494
Materials and Technique: Opaque watercolour, ink, and gold on paper
The cascade of arrows hurtling back and forth between the two warring parties in this painting is symbolic of one of the recurring themes of the Shahnameh: the war between the Iranians and the Turanians, their Central Asian opponents. Advancing from the right is an Iranian army led by the mythical warrior Rostam on his loyal blue-armoured horse Rakhsh. As always, Rostam is identified by his tiger-skin clothes and by his prominent position in the painting. Not only is he larger in size than all the other characters but he alone has the courage to lead into battle on the open field. Rostam’s valour and forward movement are contrasted on the left by the reticence of the Turanian army and the fall of their leader, Ashkabus, pierced by Rostam’s flying arrow. By raising the horizon line to the top of the painting, the artist managed to create a large battle scene in the confined space of the paper.
Source: Aga Khan Museum AKM92
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
