Jamshid teaches the crafts, from the Book of Kings (Shahnama) by Firdausi

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Jamshid teaches the crafts, folio from the Book of Kings (Shahnama) by Firdausi. Firdausi's epic Book of Kings was composed c. 1010, and tells in Persian verse the mythical histories of fifty kings and queens from ancient pre-Islamic Iran. The stories blend historical figures and events with dramatic legend, featuring superhuman heroes, supernatural monsters and kings of variable quality. Depicted here is Jamshid, a splendid king whose rule introduces the crafts to mankind, as well as agriculture, architecture, mining and medicine. Around the throne are smiths working with furnace and anvil, a weaver on a loom and embroiderers. Detached folio, ink, colours and gold on paper, Persian poetry in nasta`liq script, painting (on verso), text copied by Muhammad Baqqal, dated 23 Jumada I 885H, Shiraz, Iran, 31 July 1480