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"The Combat of Rustam and Kafur", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
ca. 1330–40
Not on view
Only the indomitable Iranian hero Rustam could outdo an enemy chief whose armor was magically impenetrable. In this very dynamic battle scene the artist has mistakenly provided Kafur (a foreign king who supposedly fed only on the human flesh of growing youths) with a mace-and an ox-headed one at that. However, the poem relates that it was Rustam who killed Kafur with a blow of his mace and, moreover, the ox head was the symbol of Iranian heroes, from the time of Faridun.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "The Combat of Rustam and Kafur", 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 1/16 in. (20.4 cm)
    W. 5 1/8 in. (13 cm)
    Painting:
    H. 1 13/16 in. (4.6 cm)
    W. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Monroe C. Gutman, 1974
  • Object Number: 1974.290.14
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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