"Isfandiyar's Fifth Course: He Slays the Simurgh", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), ca. 1330–40

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Isfandiyar's Fifth Course: He Slays the Simurgh', Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), ca. 1330–40, Attributed to Iran, probably Isfahan, Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper, Page: 7 13/16 x 5 3/8 in. ( x cm), Codices, The Simurgh in this miniature is not the benevolent guardian of the family of Zal and Rustam, but is based on the tradition of the Rukh - a creature of great strength and ferocity. This Simurgh is not yet fully patterned on the Chinese phoenix of some thirty-five years earlier, which comes from a more sophisticated cultural center, but is far more graceful than the rooster/parrot type of Simurgh found elsewhere in the present manuscript

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Size: 3580px × 5347px
Photo credit: © Artokoloro / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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