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"Zal delivers Sam's letter to Manuchihr", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
ca. 1330–40
Not on view
This episode in the complex and momentous love affair of the young hero Zal and the princess Rudaba is presented as a standard court scene. Zal bows in front of the shah after he delivers Sam's letter which tries to persuade him that the marriage would be in his interest. The shah is surrounded by guardians and courtiers, members of the military elite, and his vizier, who wears a turban signifying that he is part of the bureaucracy.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Zal delivers Sam's letter to Manuchihr", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi
  • Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
  • Date: ca. 1330–40
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, probably Isfahan
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
  • Dimensions: Painting: H. 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm)
    W. 4 5/16 in. (11 cm)
    Page: H. 8 in. (20.3 cm)
    W. 5 3/16 in. (13.2 cm)
    Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm)
    W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Monroe C. Gutman, 1974
  • Object Number: 1974.290.3
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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