Buzurgmihr Counsels Anushirvan, Folio from a Manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi 

Buzurgmihr Counsels Anushirvan, Late 1650s Folio from a Manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi Made in Middle East, Iran

The Norman Jean Calderwood Collection of Islamic Art, Harvard Art Museums 

This illumination records the discovery of backgammon as a result of an interaction between Sasanian ruler Kusraw Anushirvan and Buzurgmihir playing chess. 1 This page comes from the Iranian poet Abu’l Qasim Firdausi’s royal Iranian manuscript of the Shahnama (Book of Kings), 2 which contains poems dedicated to the deeds and glory of Iranian kings and the Arab conquest of Iran. 3 

The written portion of this manuscript was written in 1010 by Firdausi; However the illustrations were commissioned around 1524 by Safavid ruler Shah Tahmasp, thus becoming Firdausi’s most lavishly illustrated manuscripts. 4 The illuminations and paintings were created with ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper. Tahmasp was noted to hire only the best craftsman, painters, and illuminators to perform this myriad of works reflecting the wealth and sophistication of the empire. 

Although only one part of 759 folios, 5 this page illustrates Buzurgmihr kneeling before King Anushirvan and writing advice for him. Behind Bzurgmihr on the right, the figures are engaging in active discussion. 

1. Abul-Qasem, Firdausi Tusi. Buzurgmihr Counsels Anushirvan. Late 1650s, Manuscript folio. Harvard Art Museums, Massachusetts. https:// harvardartmuseums.org/collections/object/149405?position=149405 

2. Abul-Qasem, Firdausi Tusi. The Shahnama (Book of Kings). 1020, Manuscript. National Museum of Asian Art, DC. https://asia.si.edu/ex-ploreart-culture/collections/search/edanmdm:fsg_F1907.279/ 

3. The Shahnama. (2020, February 11). The Metropolitan Museum of Art. https://www.metmuseum.org/learn/educators/curriculum-re-sources/ art-of-the-islamic-world/unit-five/chapter-three/the-shahna-ma 

4. “The Shahnama | The Metropolitan Museum of Art.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 11 Feb. 2020, https://www.metmuseum.org/learn/ educators/curriculum-resources/art-of-the-islamic-world/unit-five/ chapter-three/the-shahnama. 

5. “The Shahnama of Shah Tahmasp| The Metropolitan Museum of Art.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 11 Feb. 2020, https://www.met-museum. org/learn/educators/curriculum-resources/art-of-the-islamic-world/ unit-five/chapter-three/the-shahnama-of-shah-tahmasp