PERSIAN MANUSCRIPTS

These illuminated sheets, of circa 1600, are from the most famous work of Persian (Iranian) literature, the Shah-nameh (Book of Kings), which is an epic poem that revolves around heroes such as Rustam, who was a legendary warrior of early Persia in the service of his King (Caliph). The sixty-thousand line work was completed in 1010 by the poet Firdausi, who had spent over thirty years setting to verse tales which had been gathered from all over Persia. Firdausi crystallized the traditions of Persians about their own past, from their mythological origins to the downfall of the Sasanid empire in the mid-7th century. The Shah-nameh became one of the most popular books in the Middle East and was frequently illustrated.

These Persian manuscripts are part of the collection of east and central Asian art given to the University of Oklahoma in 1936 by Lew Wentz and Gordon Matzene of Ponca City. With this donation, OU’s Museum of Art, later named the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, was founded.

Rustam and Isfandiyar Begin Their Combat		Barzus' Mother Intervenes to Save Her Son from Death at theHands of his Grandfather (Rustam)		The Birth of Rustam
Kay Ka'us Mounted in His Flying Machine to the Amazement of His Subjects		Rustam Capturing the Emperor of China		Isfandiyar in His Armored Car Encounters the Simurgh
Isfandyar Receiving the Presents of Kaid, King of Hind		Faridun Meeting the Messenger Carrying the Head of His Son		Isfandyar and His Followers in Tents, Sheltering from the Snow on theSixth Stage of his Expedition Against the Brazen Fortress
Disappearance of Kay Khusrau into the Magic Spring		Death of Sohrab. Rustam Weeps Over His Dying Son. Third Day of the Battle Between Rustam and Sohrab.		Siyawush Hits His Mark
Rustam and the White Demon. Rustam's Seventh Course		Isfandiyar Shot in the Eyes by Rustam		Rustam Shoots Ashkabuss and his Horse
The Death of Sia-Mac at the Hands of the Black Diva (Demon)		Rustam Viewing the Return of Siyawush from a Journey		Rustam Slays Zal’s White Elephant