Title
Iskandarnama (Book of Alexander) by Nizami
Year/Period
c.1580-1590
Region
Shiraz, Iran
Object Type
illuminated manuscripts
Material
gilding (material), gouache (paint), ink, leather, paper (fiber product)
Technique
bookbinding (process), gouache (technique), handwriting, painting (image-making)
Dimension
Object size: H:31.7 x W:21.7 x D:3.5cm
Accession No.
2009-01598
Collection of
NLB Type
Book
This very rare manuscript, Iskandarnama (Book of Alexander) recounts the heroic deeds of Alexander, the Great. It consists of 81 folios with four full-page paintings - among them depictions of Iskander fighting off the Ethiopians and receiving the Princess of China. The Iskandarnama (one of five tales from the poet, Nizami's Khamsa or 'Quintet') was seldom illustrated. Here it has been copied and beautifully illuminated and illustrated as a stand-alone tome.
