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Calligraphy, Rustan
Calligraphy, Rustan
Public domain: Image courtesy of the Worcester Art Museum.

Calligraphy, Rustan

Artist/Culture (Seljuk, 1000–1199)
Date1425-1450
Mediumopaque watercolor on paper
ClassificationsManuscripts
Credit LineBequest of Alexander H. Bullock
Object number1962.186.2
Descriptioncalligraphy on obverse and reverse of associated painting
Label TextTwo detached, consecutive pages from an unidentified manuscriptof Firdausi's Shahnama (Book of Kings). the episode illustrated and the subsequent text episodes are part of a lengthy contest between Turanian forces and the Khan of China and the Iranians, who are led by the great Iranian warrior-hero rustam. when the armies meet, one of the chief warriors of the Khan, Qamus, kills Rustam's bodyguard Alwa. An aggrieved rustamthen lassos the killer, pulls him from his horse, and carries him off to be hacked to death by the Iranians. In the subsequent text, the Chinese ruler hears of his warrior's death. Another warrior volunteers to take on Rustam. but when he faces the hero, the Khan's warrior panics and tries to flee. Rustam catches the tail of the fleeing horse and dispatches that unfortunate warrior as well. Rustam then talks with a Turanian emissary, Human, who attempts to learn Rustam's identity.ProvenanceAlexander H. Bullock, Worcester MA
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