There are very few secular illustrated texts which survive from late
Antiquity or Byzantium. The rise of illustrated secular works under
Islam occur in the late 12th and 13th centuries. Kalila wa Dimna were
the examples of these works that illustrate the appearance of an immensely
rich merchant class in the Near East with means and pretensions to ape
the rulers. Meanwhile, the Persian paintings were mostly
about the pride of the kings and rulers. There were also religious
Persian paintings which represent the Persian interpretations of
Islam.
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Pursuit Scene from the Battle of Badr
Jami' al-Tawarikh ('Universal History' of Rashid al-din).
Rashidiyya, 1314.
Hazine 1653, folio 165b
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Mongol Ruler and consort enthroned
Jami' al-Tawarikh ('Universal History' of Rashid al-din).
Il-Khanid Tabriz, 1330.
Hazine 1653, folio 23a
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Presentation of the City
Mi'raj-nama (Ascension of Muhammad').
From the Sarai Albums.
Tabriz, beginning of the 14th century.
Hazine 2154, folio 107a
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Gabriel carries Muhammad over the Mountains
Mi'raj-nama (Ascension of Muhammad').
From the Sarai Albums.
Tabriz, beginning of the 14th century.
Hazine 2154, folio 42b
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Gurgsar kneeling as a prisoner in Isfandiyar's tent
Shah-nama (Firdawsi's 'Book of Kings').
by Ali b. Husayni Bahmani
Shiraz, 1330.
Hazine 1479, folio 144b
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Isfandiyar passing through the snowstorm
Shah-nama (Firdawsi's 'Book of Kings').
by Ali b. Husayni Bahmani
Shiraz, 1330.
Hazine 1479, folio 145b
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Bahram Gur pins a gazelle's hoof to its ear
Shah-nama (Firdawsi's 'Book of Kings').
by Ali b. Husayni Bahmani
Shiraz, 1330.
Hazine 1479, folio 193a
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Rustam saves Bizhan from the well
Shah-nama (Firdawsi's 'Book of Kings').
by Ali b. Husayni Bahmani
Shiraz, 1330.
Hazine 1479, folio 91b
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Combat between Isfandiyar and Simurgh
Shah-nama (Firdawsi's 'Book of Kings').
Shiraz, 1330.
Hazine 1479, folio 145a
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The Four Faithful Followers of Kai--Khusraw
Shah-nama (Firdawsi's 'Book of Kings').
Shiraz, 1330.
Hazine 1479, folio 126a
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