"Siyavush Displays his Skill at Polo before Afrasiyab," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
Illustrations with a red background are typical of Shahnamas copied in Fars, an Ilkhanid province of Southern Iran that broke away and saw a short-lived creation of the dynasty of the Injuids (ca. 1303–57). Shahnamas were copied following Ilkhanid fashion, but red backgrounds and large scale figures were perhaps influenced by wall paintings. The symmetric composition is similar to the combat scene of no. 1974.290.11, emphasizing the warlike significance of polo, an immensely popular game at the Mongol court. Accordingly, the painter interpreted the game as a duel between the two kings (here identified by their crowns), whereas the text explains that Afrasiyab refused to play. Here the horses, fully involved in the spirit of the game, wear leather straps and saddle blankets; they look like Mongolian ponies, though their necks are elongated.
Artwork Details
- Title: "Siyavush Displays his Skill at Polo before Afrasiyab," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
- Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
- Calligrapher: Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn (?) Husaini, known as al-Mausili
- Patron: Commissioned by al-Hasan Qawam al-Daula wa'l-Din (Iranian, ca. 1303–1357 Shiraz)
- Date: dated 741 AH/1341 CE
- Geography: Made in Iran, Shiraz
- Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
- Dimensions: Page: H. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm)
W. 11 15/16 in. (30.4 cm)
Painting: H. 3 3/8 in. (8.5 cm)
W. 9 7/16 in. (24 cm)
Text block: H. 11 5/16 in. (28.8 cm)
W. 9 5/8 in. (24.5 cm) - Classification: Codices
- Credit Line: Cora Timken Burnett Collection of Persian Miniatures and Other Persian Art Objects, Bequest of Cora Timken Burnett, 1956
- Object Number: 57.51.35
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
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