Prophet Khiżr bathing Iskandar’s horse in the Water of Life
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Material Information

Title:
Prophet Khiżr bathing Iskandar’s horse in the Water of Life
Series Title:
Objects of instruction : treasures of SOAS
Creator:
Niẓāmī Ganjavī, 1140 or 1141-1202 or 1203
Donor:
Gift of Lt-Col. D.C.Philott.
Place of Publication:
India
Language:
Persian
Materials:
Opaque watercolour and ink on paper ( medium )
Measurements:
H18 x W12 cm in

Notes

Abstract:
The Sharafnāma is the first half of Niẓāmī’s story of Iskandar, or Alexander the Great. This illustrated copy originally had twelve miniatures. Nine folios with miniatures have been extracted from the manuscript, and they are now owned by the Victoria Art Gallery, Bath City Council. These have been on loan to the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery since 1976. The colophon mentions a date of 880 AH (1475 CE). However, although this may be the correct date of the text, the miniatures were produced in the Mughal Emperor Akbar’s imperial studio in the 1590s. Two of the folios with miniatures are inscribed with the artist’s name: Makrā on fol. 27v and Shiyām on fol. 81r illustrated here (Text by Emily Shovelton, from the exhibition catalogue: Objects of instruction : treasures of the School of Oriental and African Studies, Anna Contadini, Editor. London : SOAS, University of London, 2007.) ( en )
General Note:
VIAF (name authority) : Niẓāmī Ganjavī, 1140 or 1141-1202 or 1203 : 2474895
General Note:
The National Gallery of Scotland notes: "In Hindu tradition, Krishna and Balarama are brothers. Krishna means ‘black’ or ‘dark one’ in Sanskrit, terms which refer to his complexion, and he is often shown as blue or black in colour. Balarama is normally depicted as being fair-skinned and traditionally wears blue garments. Krishna’s identifying attributes include a flute and peacock feathers, and although this image features peacocks on both sides of the work, the blue colour of the figure on the left and the fact he is holding a flute can identify him as Krishna. Roy has used the earthy colours and stylised shapes of Indian folk art."
General Note:
The 'Objects of instruction : the treasures of SOAS' exhibition was funded through a generous gift from the Foyle Foundation and with the support of the Arts & Humanities Research Council.
General Note:
Source: A. Contadini (ed.), Objects of Instruction : Treasures of the School of Oriental and African Studies. London : SOAS, University of London, 2007, p.78, no.59.
General Note:
From: Niẓāmī Ganjavi. Sharafnāma (Book of Honour)
General Note:
Folio 81r of MS 24952

Record Information

Source Institution:
SOAS, University of London
Holding Location:
Archives and Special Collections
Rights Management:
All applicable rights reserved by the source institution and holding location.
Resource Identifier:
MS 24952 ( soas manuscript number )
e1acbbb4-a4f9-43cc-b85c-8cc14fd6a2f0 ( calm recordid )