BUZURJMIHR MASTERS THE GAME OF CHESS, FOLIO FROM A SHAHNAMA, COPY FROM (THE BOOK OF KINGS) ABU’L QASIM FIRDUSI, SAFAVID, 16TH CENTURY

The Shahnama, verses by the 11th century poet Firdowsi (Firdausi), has extant copies created during the 14th and 16th centuries. The above is from the latter. This verse tells the story of how Shatranj was introduced into Persia by the Indian ambassador of the King of Hind who presented the elaborate board with pieces of ivory and ebony, as both a gift and test to see if the Persians were capable of unraveling the mysteries of the game. Buzurjmihr, the counselor to the ruler Naushirawan, did solve the riddle and was rewarded with a huge gold goblet filled with jewels. miniature: 15 by 12 cm. folio: 20 by 32.5 cm.