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Bahram Gur and Azada

12th–13th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 453
Some of the mina'i ceramics illustrate stories from the Persian epic, the Shahnama, predating its earliest surviving illustrated manuscripts by nearly a century. This bowl depicts the episode of Prince Bahram Gur hunting with Azada, his favorite concubine. Azada challenges Bahram Gur to a hunting feat, but when he succeeds, she pities the slain gazelles and reproaches him. In anger, he tramples her under his camel’s feet. The painter has conflated two different moments into one scene.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bahram Gur and Azada
  • Date: 12th–13th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran
  • Medium: Stonepaste; polychrome inglaze and overglaze painted on opaque monochrome glaze (mina'i)
  • Dimensions: H. 3 13/16 in. (9.7 cm)
    Diam. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Rogers Fund, and Gift of The Schiff Foundation, 1957
  • Object Number: 57.36.13
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

Audio

Cover Image for 6772. Pages from the Shahnama-Bahram Gur and Azade

6772. Pages from the Shahnama-Bahram Gur and Azade

Reading

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SHEILA CANBY: Within the epic of the Shahnameh, one of the most beloved stories is that of the King Bahram Gur, and his consort, Azade. We’ll hear the beginning of their story in Persian. It describes Barham Gur’s love for playing polo – and hunting. One day he sets out to hunt with the beautiful and delightful harp player, named Azade. She is Bahram Gur’s lover, and companion. He never stops saying her name. As they story continues they ride together on the golden saddle like two bejeweled ornaments.

IRAJ ANVAR: [Story in Persian]

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More Artwork

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Turquoise Bowl with Lute Player and Audience, Stonepaste; glazed (opaque monochrome), in-glaze- and overglaze-painted, gilded
Turquoise Bowl with Lute Player and Audience
late 12th–early 13th century
Luster Bowl with Winged Horse, Stonepaste; luster-painted on opaque monochrome glaze
Luster Bowl with Winged Horse
late 12th century
Mihrab (Prayer Niche), Mosaic of polychrome-glazed cut tiles on stonepaste body; set into mortar
Mihrab (Prayer Niche)
dated 755 AH/1354–55 CE
Pierced Jug with Harpies and Sphinxes, Stonepaste; openwork, underglaze-painted, glazed in transparent turquoise
Pierced Jug with Harpies and Sphinxes
dated 612 AH/1215–16 CE
Bowl, Abu Zayd al-Kashani Iranian, Stonepaste; polychrome inglaze and overglaze painted on opaque monochrome glaze (mina'i)
Bowl
Abu Zayd al-Kashani
dated 583 AH/1187 CE

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