Or Ms 265: شاه نامه Shāh-nāmah, undated copy (original text composed 10th-11th cent. C.E.)
Scope and Contents
A superb copy of the Persian "Book of Kings" and epic poem, the verse written by Abū'l-Qāsim Firdawsī ca. 329-410 A.H. (940-1019 C.E.).
The present copy begins with a short preface containing a list of the ancient kings of Persia in genealogical order. This is followed by the four daftars of the poem in the form of two books.
It is comprised of 606 folios and is written in excellent nasta'līq, in four gold-ruled columns, with headings in red. The first two leaves are richly illuminated "carpet pages". There are also many illuminated section headings throughout the volume.
It contains fifteen miniature paintings in gilt and colour on fols. 47b, 57a, 67a, 79a, 90b, 99b, 120a, 139b, 141a, 142b, 143a, 178a, 186b, 197b, and 204a.
The manuscript has not been fully completed. There are a number of blank spaces for section headings and other miniature paintings.
Dates
- Creation: undated copy (original text composed 10th-11th cent. C.E.)
Language of Materials
Persian (Script: nasta'līq)
Conditions Governing Access
Open. Please contact the repository in advance.
Extent
1 volume
Other Finding Aids
Hukk, Mohammed Ashraful; Ethé, Hermann; and Robertson, Edward, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Edinburgh University Library (Hertford: Stephen Austin & Sons Ltd., 1925).
Processing Information
Annotation uses legacy data from Mohammed Hukk et al. A Descriptive Catalogue of the Arabic and Persian Manuscripts in Edinburgh University Library.
Source
- Graham, James, d 1805 (Field collector of manuscripts) (Donor, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk