Shahnama Project : Shahnama

Firdausi

Shahnama Project

<p style='text-align: justify;'><p>Formerly Ethé 2992. This a lavish and magnificently decorated ms. in the pure Shirazi style, on a handsome scale. It has an illuminated double title page (ff. 1v-2r) and another double page iillumination at the beginning of the poem (ff. 15v-16r). The section headings are illuminated throughout.The text begins with the Baysunghur preface, ending on f. 15r.Pages opposite illustrations are decorated with interlinear cloud patterns, as is the text on illustrated folios, which also have floral motifs in gold in the margins. Several pages with illustrations on the recto side are preceded by page of illuminated chalipa script (e.g. ff. 105v-106r, 115v-116r, etc.). Many paintings have banners and ribbons protruding beyond picture margins and text block.Robinson, India Office Library, p. 124, detects the work of two painters, one of whom he identifies as Zain al-'Abidin.The binding is modern scarlet morocco.Bibliography:Ethe, H., Persian manuscripts in the India Office Library, p. 1626Robinson, B.W., Persian paintings in the India Office Library, London, 1976, pp. 124-36, with references.(A.M.)Link to the digitised manuscript: https://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/Viewer.aspx?ref=io_islamic_3540_f001v</p></p>