ticketsMember | Make a donation

"Nushirvan Eating Food Brought by the Sons of Mahbud", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
1330s
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 455
This page once formed part of a now-dispersed manuscript known as the Great Mongol Shahnama, believed to have been produced in the 1330s at Tabriz. A large-scale work, it would have once contained nearly 300 folios with almost 200 paintings. The subject of this beautifully painted folio is unclear as its imagery does not relate directly to its surrounding text, but it likely represents the king Nushirvan dining.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Nushirvan Eating Food Brought by the Sons of Mahbud", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
  • Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
  • Date: 1330s
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, Tabriz
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Page: H. 20 3/4 in. (52.7 cm)
    W. 15 1/8 in. (38.4 cm)
    Painting: H. 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm)
    W. 9 1/8 in. (23.2 cm)
    Mat: H. 22 in. (55.9 cm)
    W. 16 in. (40.6 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1952
  • Object Number: 52.20.2
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
"The Funeral of Isfandiyar," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"The Funeral of Isfandiyar," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
1330s
"The Murder of Iraj," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Ink, watercolor, and gold on paper
"The Murder of Iraj," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
late 15th century
"Rustam Kills Isfandiyar with a Double Pointed Arrow", Folio from a Shahnama, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
"Rustam Kills Isfandiyar with a Double Pointed Arrow", Folio from a Shahnama
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
15th century
"Rustam Wrestles with Puladvand", Folio from a Shahnama, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Opaque water color and gold on paper
"Rustam Wrestles with Puladvand", Folio from a Shahnama
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
15th century
"Fifth Joust, The Death of Simurgh by the Hands of Isfandiyar," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Ink, gold and metallic paint, and watercolor on paper
"Fifth Joust, The Death of Simurgh by the Hands of Isfandiyar," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
16th century

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.