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Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars) of al-Sufi

Author `Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi Iranian
late 15th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 454
This book, based on the Almagest of the Greek astronomer Ptolemy, concerns the forty‑eight constellations known as the Fixed Stars, which, according to the medieval conception of the universe, inhabited the eighth of the nine spheres surrounding the earth. The constellations each appear twice in mirror image, shown as observed from the earth and from the sky.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars) of al-Sufi
  • Author: `Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi (Iranian, Rey 903–986 Shiraz)
  • Date: late 15th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran
  • Medium: Ink and gold on paper; leather binding
  • Dimensions: H. 10 3/16 in. (25.8 cm)
    W. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1913
  • Object Number: 13.160.10
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

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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, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars) of al-Sufi
`Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi
18th century
"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
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
Sultan Muhammad
ca. 1525
"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
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
Qasim ibn 'Ali
ca. 1530
Khusrau and Shirin, Hatifi Iranian, active Istanbul, Main support: ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper; binding: leather
Khusrau and Shirin
Hatifi
Suzi
dated 904 AH/1498–99 CE
Qur'an of Ibrahim Sultan, Ibrahim Sultan Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper; leather binding
Qur'an of Ibrahim Sultan
Ibrahim Sultan
dated 830 AH/1427 CE

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