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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

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"Zahhak Brought as a Prisoner before Faridun", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
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