Gayumars enthroned, from the Book of Kings (Shahnama) by Firdausi

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Gayumars enthroned, 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 Gayumars, the first king at the dawn of time. He and his people live in the mountains, where Firdausi writes that all dress in leopard skin, and live in peace. Detached folio, ink, colours and gold on paper, Persian poetry in nasta`liq script, caption in gold ("the reign of Gayumars was for thirty years"), painting (on recto), text copied by Muhammad Baqqal, Shiraz, Iran, dated 23 Jumada I 885H, 1480