"Kai Khusrau Crosses the Sea", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
ca. 1610
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 463
This painting shows the ship of Kai Khusrau, which, when pursuing his enemy Afrasiyab, was blown off course by a fearful storm to a place with all manner of strange sea creatures.


Judging from the exquisite detail and lavish use of gold, this leaf comes from a refined small-format Deccan Shahnama manuscript intended for a high ranking member of courtly society. The pastel palette and details like fantastic rock formations and small groupings of white buildings suggest it was made in Bijapur, India.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Kai Khusrau Crosses the Sea", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi
  • Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
  • Date: ca. 1610
  • Geography: Attributed to India, Deccan, Bijapur
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Page:
    H. 8 in. (20.3 cm)
    W. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm)
    Painting:
    H. 5 3/8 in. (13.6 cm)
    W. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Gift of Wendy Findlay, 1982
  • Object Number: 1982.476.3
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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Abu'l Qasim Firdausi - "Kai Khusrau Crosses the Sea", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi - The Metropolitan Museum of Art