CENTRAL IRAN, LATE 12TH CENTURY

The scene shown on this bowl can be identified with one in the Shahnameh. Bahram Chubina is the seated ruler being presented with the head of Ayin Gashasp, the general sent by king Hormuzd to oppose him. The head is held by the soldier who had murdered Ayin Gashasp on his way, obviously hoping for preferrment. Unfortunately the murderer had misjudged his man; Bahram had great respect for Ayin Garshasp and therefore had the murderer summarily hung. This is a scene which is hardly ever depicted in later copies of the Shahnameh. In the British Library for example there is only one depiction relating to this story, of Bahram Chubina watching the murderer die (Titley, Norah: Miniatures from Persian Manuscripts, London, 1977, no.108(9), p.43). The only other possible scene would be Faridun being presented with his youngest son Iraj's head, a scene depicted far more regularly in later copies of the Shahnameh, but the young boy would not be depicted bearded (Robinson, B.W.: The Persian Book of Kings, an Epitome of the Shahnama of Firdawsi, London, 2002, p.131).