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"Kai Kavus Falls from the Sky", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
ca. 1330–40
Not on view
At the instigation of an evil div, the shah Kai Kavus foolishly tried to fly up to heaven by tying eagles to his throne and legs of lamb above them, so that in striving to reach the meat the eagles would lift his conveyance skyward. When the eagles eventually tired, all plummeted to earth. The ascent is depicted in every known illustration of the episode except this one. Here the ignominious return to earth is most charmingly presented, with a bed of flowers to soften the shah's landing.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Kai Kavus Falls from the Sky", 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 3/4 in. (7 cm)
    W. 4 5/16 in. (10.9 cm)
    Page:
    H. 8 1/8 in. (20.7 cm)
    W. 5 5/16 in. (13.5 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: 1974.290.9
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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"The Murder of Iraj," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Ink, watercolor, and gold on paper
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Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
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"Zahhak Brought as a Prisoner before Faridun", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
"Zahhak Brought as a Prisoner before Faridun", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
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