A complete manuscript of high quality containing 232 folios measuring 35.3 x 24 cm. that constitute the second half of the Shahnama. Another volume that constitutes the first half of the epic is in the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto (Ms. C). The text is written in good nastaʿliq in four columns, twenty-five lines per page. There is one double page illuminated frontispiece (ff.1v and 2), and twenty-two paintings, all signed by Moʿin Moṣavver, which are for the most part clever solutions to unique compositional problems.

Location:
Dublin, Chester Beatty Library, Ms. no. 270.

Dating:
The manuscript itself is undated, but the last painting (f. 223) is dated Mo˙arram 1066/ November 1655.

Photos:
© The Trustees of The Chester Beatty Library, Dublin

Bibliography:
BWG_1933, no.376 (no ill.).
Kühnel, Survey_1939, p.1893, pls.922-923.
Kühnel, Pantheon, fig.4.
Robinson, CB_1960, no.270 (no ill.)
Stchoukine, SA_1964, p.65 (no ill.)

Robert Eng
Last Updated: January 2, 2011 | Originally published: May 6, 2003