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Composite Camel with Attendant

third quarter 16th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 455
While composite animals such as this one are known from earlier periods of Persian art, they gained in popularity toward the end of the sixteenth century. Here, comprising the overall shape of a camel, are found images of demons (divs), dervishes, embracing couples, rabbits, dragons, and even a Buddhist monk, sporting an earring and carrying a khakkhara (sounding) staff. The meaning of such images is open to interpretation, but many scholars believe them to have mystical significance—likely referring to the unity of all creatures within God.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Composite Camel with Attendant
  • Date: third quarter 16th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, Khurasan
  • Medium: Opaque watercolor and ink on paper
  • Dimensions: Painting: H. 7 7/8 in. (20 cm)
    W. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm)
    Page: H. 9 in. (22.9 cm)
    W. 6 11/16 in. (17 cm)
    Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm)
    W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Gift of George D. Pratt, 1925
  • Object Number: 25.83.6
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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"The Feast of Sada", Folio 22v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
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"Isfandiyar's Third Course: He Slays a Dragon", Folio 434v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
"Isfandiyar's Third Course: He Slays a Dragon", Folio 434v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
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Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars) of al-Sufi, `Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi Iranian, Ink and gold on paper; leather binding
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A Princely Hunt
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