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"Kai Kavus Attempts to Fly to Heaven", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
mid-15th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 463
This painting comes from a copy of a highly Persianate Shahnama that was probably made in northern India. The paintings from this book were later placed in an album with brightly colored borders. In the episode illustrated here, the prince Kai Kavus attempts to fly to heaven by fastening young eagles to his throne. The painting shows Kai Kavus, in a gold-domed throne, holding a piece of meat to entice the eagles.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Kai Kavus Attempts to Fly to Heaven", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
  • Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
  • Date: mid-15th century
  • Geography: Attributed to India
  • Medium: Image: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
    Margins: Ink and gold on dyed paper
  • Dimensions: H. 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm)
    W. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: The Grinnell Collection, Bequest of William Milne Grinnell, 1920
  • Object Number: 20.120.239
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
"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
"The Feast of Sada", Folio 22v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
Painting attributed to Sultan Muhammad
ca. 1525
"A King Offers to Make Amends to a Bereaved Mother", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi, Amir Khusrau Dihlavi Indian, Main support: Ink, opaque watercolor, gold on paper<br/>Margins: Gold on dyed paper
"A King Offers to Make Amends to a Bereaved Mother", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Author Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Painting attributed to Miskin
1597–98
Goa Stone and Gold Case, Container: gold; pierced, repoussé, with cast legs and finials<br/>Goa stone: compound of organic and inorganic materials
Goa Stone and Gold Case
late 17th–early 18th century
"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
Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
Painting attributed to Qasim ibn 'Ali
ca. 1530
"Akbar With Lion and Calf", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Govardhan, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Akbar With Lion and Calf", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Painting by Govardhan
Calligrapher Mir 'Ali Haravi
verso: ca. 1630; recto: ca. 1530–50

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