manuscript; painting BM-1966-1010-0.13

Period:Unknown Production date:1425-1430 (circa)
Materials:paper
Technique:painted
Subjects:book/newspaper sage history literature
Dimensions:Height: 33.80 centimetres Width: 23 centimetres

Description:
Detached manuscript page. Literature from the Majma`a al-Tavarikh of Hafiz-i Abru. Two Chinese sages, Li-ta-chih and Maksun, presenting books on history to Uljaytu, the Il-Khanid ruler of Iran (1304-1316, or possibly Gházán Xán). On paper.
IMG


Comments:The sages of China bringing books to UljaytuFrom the Majma’a al-Tavarikh of Hafiz-i AbruGreater Iran, c. 1425Opaque watercolour and gold on paperThis page is from a universal history written by the Timurid historian Hafiz-i Abru. It depicts two Chinese sages, Li-ta-chih and Maksun, in the centre left of the scene presenting books on history to Uljaytu (Öljeitü), the Mongol (Il-Khanid) ruler of Iran from 1304-1316, who is seated under the tree. This page is based on a section of the Ilkhanid history, the Jami ºal-tavarikh (Compendium of Chronicles) and is rendered in the plain and rational ‘historical style’ of Shahrukh. Three illustrations from this manuscript are included in ‘Princes, Poets & Paladins’ (cat.not. 8-10).