Persian MS 910 (The John Rylands Research Institute and Library, The University of Manchester)

Decoration

Headpiece: Folio 6b bears a scalloped domed headpiece with gilt palmette foliate scrollwork on an ultramarine ground above a horiztonal cartouche with the phrase ‘Dībāchah-'i Kitāb’ (‘Introduction of the Book’).

Carpet Pages: Folios 16a–b, which commence the work proper.

Ruling: 5a onwards ruled in gold outlined with single internal and double external black lines.

Illustrations: B. W. Robinson identifies five different artists, an 'Earlier Group' Pwith ainters A, B, and C and a 'Later Group' comprised of Painters D and E. To the first group, he assigns 14 scenes to Painter A (with another 7 doubtful), whom he describes as 'of mediocre attainments, probably brought up in the commercial Turkman style'; however he attributes 26 illustrations (2 doubtful), to Painter B, and to the nascent Safavid court at Tabriz under Shah Ismā'īl I. Robinson attributes 19 illustrations (1 or 2 doubtful) to Painter C whom he regards as an artist 'of great distinction and fine technique' who worked during the reign of Shāh Ṭahmāsp. group, Robinson attributes the later group to early 17th-century Isfahan, then a newly established capital under Shāh ‘Abbās I, and identifies Painter D as a E's pupil and describes him as 'competent... working at high speed' while E displays a 'both and effective' mastery of the 'new style'.

• Folio 23a: The sons of Kawa the blacksmith before Zahhak, Painter A.
  108 × 152 mm.
  The painting appears in the text where the snakes reappear on Jamshid's shoulders after tried to cut them off.
• Folio 28b: Faridun defeats Zahhak, Painter A.
  89 × 152 mm.
  Faces in the foreground repainted in India. Abraded.
• Folio 34a: Murder of Iraj by his brothers Tur and Salm, Painter A.
  121 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 119.
• Folio 46a: Rudaba and Zal together, Painter A.
  127 × 152 mm.
  Faces of Rudaba and her maid repainted in India.
• Folio 56b: The young Rustam, crowned, armed, and mounted on an elephant, meets his grandfather Sam, Painter A.
  190 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 121.
• Folio 57b: Rustam kills Zal's white elephant, Painter A.
  127 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 122.
• Folio 64a: Afrasiyab executes Nauzar, Painter A.
  70 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 122.
• Folio 67a: Rustam catches his horse Rakhsh, Painter B.
  127 × 152 mm.
• Folio 68b: Rustam kills Qulun, Painter C.
  146 × 190 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 123.
• Folio 69a: Rustam lifts Afrasiyab by the belt, Painter A.
  133 × 165 mm.
• Folio 71a: Zal counsels Kay Kavus, Painter A.
  89 × 152 mm.
  Misidentified as f. 71b in Robinson, p. 120.
• Folio 73a: Rustam's first labour: Rakhsh kills a lion, Painter B.
  133 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 124.
• Folio 74a: Rustam's third labour: he kills a dragon, Painter B.
  121 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 125.
• Folio 76b: Rustam's seventh labour: he kills the White Div, Painter B.
  133 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 126.
• Folio 94b: The first combat of Rustam and Suhrab, Painter A.
  178 × 152 mm.
  Note: the painting appears at the point in the text where Rustam and Suhrab begin their swordfight. Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library p. 127.
• Folio 97a: Rustam discovers Suhrab's identity, Painter A.
  190 × 178 mm.
  Note: Suhrab's head and arm repainted in India.
• Folio 105b: The fire ordeal of Siyavush, Painter A.
  133 × 152 mm.
  Note: Sudaba's face repainted in India with a brown mustache and beard.
• Folio 112b: Siyavush plays polo before Afrasiyab, Painter B.
  95 × 152 mm.
• Folio 115a: Siyavush marries Farangis, Painter B.
  133 × 152 mm.
• Folio 118a: Siyavush fights Damur, Painter B.
  133 × 152 mm.
• Folio 123a: Guruy executes Siyavush, Painter B.
  133 × 152 mm.
• Folio 127a: Rustam kills Pilsam, Painter A.
  127 × 152 mm.
  Note: The text here departs considerably from the standard editions which possibly implies another scene appeared here.
• Folio 129b: Human attacks Rustam to allow Afrasiyab to escape, Painter B.
  146 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 129.
• Folio 135b: Giv leads Piran before Kay Khusrau and Farangis, Painter B.
  152 × 152 mm.
  Note: the painting here depicts a footman leading the captured Piran, which departs from the text. Also, Piran's face appears repainted in India.
• Folio 139a: Kay Khusrau's army besieges Bahman's castle, Painter B.
  152 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 130.
• Folio 146b: Farud kills Rivniz, Painter B.
  165 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 131.
• Folio 152a: Night attack of the Turanians on the Persian camp, Painter A.
  103 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 132.
• Folio 156b: Giv kills Tahzav in revenge for the death of Bahram, Painter B.
  114 × 152 mm.
• Folio 164a: Kay Khusrau learns of the plight of his army, Painter B.
  127 × 152 mm.
• Folio 170b: Rustam kills Ashkabus and his horse, Painter B.
  127 × 152 mm.
• Folio 172a: Rustam captures and kills Kamus, Painter B.
  82 × 152 mm.
• Folio 178a: Rustam lifts Shangul from his saddle, Painter B.
  114 × 152 mm.
• Folio 180a: Rustam pulls the Khaqan of Chin from his elephant by lasso, Painter B.
  178 × 152 mm.
• Folio 183a: Rustam fights Kafur the Cannibal, Painter B.
  133 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 133.
• Folio 199b: Rustam rescues Bizhan from the pit, Painter B.
  165 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 134. One curiosity of this depiction of the scene, generally accurate in its other details, is the sight of the severed head of the Div, Barkhiyas, whom Rustam had encountered and killed earlier, according to an interpolation in the narrative.
• Folio 215b: Bizhan brings Human's head back to the Iranian forces, Painter B.
  133 × 152 mm.
  Note: An unusual depiction of scene, catching the exact moment, a little later in the text, when Bizhan has strapped Human's head onto his saddle and is about to ride off.
• Folio 221a: The first combat: Fariburz kills Gulbad, Painter A.
  76 × 152 mm.
• Folio 221b: The second combat: Giv defeats and binds Guruy Zirih, Painter B.
  89 × 152 mm.
• Folio 222a: The third combat: Guraza kills Siyamak by throwing him to the ground, Painter B.
  89 × 152 mm.
• Folio 222b: The fourth combat: Furuhil kills Zangala, Painter B.
  70 × 152 mm.
• Folio 222b: The fifth combat: Ruhham kills Barman, Painter B.
  108 × 152 mm.
  Published: Melville, 'Serial killers', pp. 86, 105–106, figs. 14–15.
• T Folio 223aA: he sixth combat: Bizhan kills Ruyin, Painter B.
  63 × 152 mm.
• Folio 223aB: The seventh combat: Hujir kills Sipahram with a blow of his sword, Painter A.
  70 × 152 mm.
• Folio 223b: The eighth combat: Zanga kills Akhvasht, Painter A.
  76 × 152 mm.
• Folio 224Aa: Gurgin leads away Andariman's horse, Painter B.
  76 × 152 mm.
• Barta returns with the body of Kuhram Folio 224Ab: Painter B.
  76 × 152 mm.
• Piran escapes from Gudarz up the mountainside Folio 224b: Painter B.
  121 × 152 mm.
• Gustaham kills Lahhak Folio 228a: Painter B.
  114 × 152 mm.
• Folio 237b: Shida slain by Kay Khusraw, Painter C.
  190 × 202 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, He regards it as 'perhaps the best miniature in the book'.
• Folio 244b: Rustam takes Jahn and Garsivaz prisoner, Painter C.
  228 × 184 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 136.
• Folio 254a: Execution of Afrasiyab and Garsiwaz by Kay Khusraw, Painter C.
  158 × 190 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 137.
• Folio 257b: Kay Khusrau replies to Zal, Painter C.
  216 × 197 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 138.
• Folio 262b: Luhrasp enthroned, Painter D.
  190 × 202 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 263. The first of the second set of paintings in this ms., dating from c. 1570-80, or a decade later, in anticipation of the Isfahan style, and also the work of three separate artists. The paintings here too have suffered some retouching in India.
• Folio 287b: Isfandiyar's second labour: he fights the lions, Painter C.
  158 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 139.
• Folio 288b: Isfandiyar's fourth labour: he kills the sorceress, Painter E.
  95 × 158 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 264. Robinson considers this artist may be the 'young Isfahani' of the British Museum Garshaspnama; the lady's headdress of c. 1580 is similar to the drawing attributed to Mir Musavvir in the Keir Collection, 111.233.
• Folio 289b: Isfandiyar's fifth labour: he kills the Simurgh, Painter E.
  127 × 152 mm.
  Note: Reproduced in Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, colour pl. XIII.
• Folio 291a: Isfandiyar's seventh labour: Gurgsar leads him across the lake to Ruyin Dizh (the Brazen Hold), Painter C.
  202 × 202 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 140.
• Folio 294a: Isfandiyar slays Arjasp in the Brazen Hold to rescue his sisters, Painter B.
  114 × 152 mm.
• Folio 300a: Rustam kicks aside the rock pushed by Bahman, Painter C.
  158 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 141.
• Folio 303a: Meeting of Rustam and Isfandiyar, Painter C.
  202 × 202 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 142. See Journal of the Iran Society 1 (1951), p. 85. Although the passage refers to the meeting of Rustam and Isfandiyar, it concerns Rustam's sense of importance and displeasure at the supposed slights he has received from Isfandiyar. The painting does not capture the actual detail of the meeting.
• Folio 309b: The first combat of Rustam and Isfandiyar, Painter C.
  172 × 197 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 143.
• Folio 314b: Rustam shoots Isfandiyar in the eyes with a double-pointed arrow, Painter C.
  190 × 190 mm.
• Folio 317a: Isfandiyar mourned, Painter C.
  108 × 152 mm.
• Folio 322a: Rustam kills Shaghad before dying, Painter C.
  216 × 202 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 144.
• Folio 334b: Iskandar attends the dying Dara, Painter E.
  190 × 197 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 265.
• Folio 347a: Queen Qaydafa enthroned, Painters B or C.
  158 × 184 mm.
  Note: throne unfinished and faces retouched.
• Folio 361a: Haftvad's daughter spinning in the garden, and the Worm of Kerman, Painter D.
  102 × 152 mm.
• Folio 387a: Bahram Gur enthroned after killing the lions, Painter C.
  127 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 145.
• Folio 391a: A drunken cobbler rides Bahram Gur's escaped lion, Painter D.
  133 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 266.
• Folio 395a: Bahram Gur with Barzin's daughters, Painter C.
  152 × 190 mm.
• Folio 396a: Bahram Gur hunts lion, Painter C.
  178 × 184 mm.
• Folio 402b: Bahram Gur beheads a dragon that swallowed a youth, Painter C.
  152 × 202 mm.
• Folio 405a: Bahram Gur captures the Khaqan of Chin, Painter C.
  172 × 202 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 146.
• Folio 411b: Bahram Gur kills a wolf in India, Painter C.
  222 × 202 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 147. The wolf is a fantastic monster, based on the Chinese 'Dog of Fo', but with horns and streamers.
• Folio 412b: Bahram Gur beheads a black dragon in India, Painter C.
  127 × 152 mm.
  Note: The last of the paintings more or less contemporary with the ms., c. 1520-30.
• Folio 419a: Piruz and his army fall into a pit and die, Painter D.
  108 × 152 mm.
• Folio 423a: Sufaray slain in battle by Qubad, Painter D.
  127 × 152 mm.
  Note: The text omits this scene.
• Folio 426b: Anushirvan enthroned, Painter D.
  102 × 152 mm.
  Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 267. Some illustrations seem to bear Central Asian features that faintly recall Tashkent ms. 1811.
• Folio 433b: Aushirvan builds a city like Antakia to imprison the Rumis, Painter D.
  127 × 152 mm.
  Note: The painting depicts Anushirvan inspecting the area round Antakia, which is flourishing like a garden.
• Folio 438a: Anushirvan executes a young man and his half-sister in his harem, Painter D.
  108 × 152 mm.
  Note: An outdoor scene, despite the context.
• Folio 459b: Gav and Talhand's forces fight for a second time, Painter D.
  121 × 152 mm.
• Folio 486b: Parmuda, son of Sawa Shah, put in bonds by Bahram Chubina, Painter D.
  114 × 152 mm.
• Folio 489a: Bahram Chubina at the castle of the Fortune Teller, Painter D.
  102 × 152 mm.
  Note: The painting here, of a hunting scene, has no conenction with the text.
• Folio 493b: The murder of Ayin Gashasp, Painter D.
  114 × 152 mm.
• Folio 497a: Khusrau Parviz and Bahram Chubina dispute kingship rights, Painter D.
  127 × 152 mm.
• Folio 500b: Bahram Chubina's night attack on the camp of Khusrau Parviz, Painter D.
  121 × 152 mm.
  Note: No sign of the night required by the text.
• Folio 501b: Murder of King Hurmuzd by Bandwi and Gustham, Painter D.
  114 × 152 mm.
• Folio 505a: Bahram Chubina kills Bahram, son of Siyavush while playing polo, Painter D.
  108 × 152 mm.
  Note: The picture shows the moment in the text when Bahram Chubina approaches his prey with a drawn sword.
• Folio 510a: Caesar and his court discussing the making of a talisman, Painter D.
  108 × 152 mm.
  Note: Neither the subjects' placement, nor their iconography comport with the text.
• Folio 513b: Bahram Chubina kills Kut the Roman, Painter D.
  89 × 152 mm.
• Folio 516a: Bahram Chubina and Khusrau Parviz fight for the third time, Painter D.
  121 × 152 mm.
• Folio 517a: Bahram Chubina given wine by the old woman, Painter D.
  108 × 152 mm.
  Note: The painting comes a little after the text describing the scene.
• Folio 520b: The monkey-lion devours the Khaqan's daughter, Painter D.
  108 × 152 mm.
• Folio 521b: Bahram Chubina kills the monkey-lion, Painter D.
  121 × 152 mm.
• Folio 524b: Qalun is arrested and beaten to death, Painter D.
  114 × 152 mm.
• Folio 533a: Khusraw hawking Painter D.
  127 × 152 mm.
  Note: The painting appears after the passage that describes his hunt, just before he meets Shirin.
• Folio 535b: Barbad in a tree plays music to Khusraw in the garden, Painter D.
  140 × 152 mm.
• Folio 540b: Shiruy (Qubad) enthroned, Painter D.
  121 × 152 mm.
• Folio 545b: Murder of Khusraw, Painter D.
  127 × 152 mm.
• Folio 547b: Shirin clasping the tomb of Khusraw, Painter D.
  127 × 152 mm.
  Note: An implausible outdoor scene. Published: Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library, p. 268.