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"Rustam Falls in the Spear-Lined Pit", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
ca. 1330–40
Not on view
Rustam's treacherous half-brother Shaghad devised with his father-in-law, the king of Kabul, a cruel and cowardly way of killing him. The two plotters pretended to quarrel and Shaghad called on Rustam to redress his grievances. When Rustam loyally responded and arrived in Kabul to punish its king, the latter guilefully pretended humility and remorse and was forgiven by the hero. The king then proposed a hunt, knowing Rustam's passion for this royal sport. In the meantime, at Shaghdad's suggestion, he had pits dug along the hunting paths, filled with sharp lances and spears and then concealed. Rakhsh fell in one of these pits and both steed and hero were impaled on the spikes, as was Rustam's brother Zavara.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Rustam Falls in the Spear-Lined Pit", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
  • 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: Page:
    H. 8 in. (20.3 cm)
    W. 5 3/16 in. (13.2 cm)
    Painting:
    H. 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm)
    W. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Monroe C. Gutman, 1974
  • Object Number: 1974.290.30
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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