Folio from a `Aja'ib al-Makhluqat wa Ghara'ib al-Mawjudat (The Wonders of Creation and the Oddities of Existence) 17th century

This folio from a 17th-century illustrated manuscript of *Aja'ib al-Makhluqat wa Ghara'ib al-Mawjudat* (The Wonders of Creation and the Oddities of Existence) by Zakaria al-Qazwini (1198-1283) depicts two mythical creatures. The top illustration is of a spotted beast, which is described in the accompanying text as a "wild cat." The lower illustration, with a long, curly horn, is of a mythical creature known as a "Wuhush." This manuscript is a fascinating example of medieval Islamic natural history writing and animal illustration. The intricate details of the creatures, coupled with the accompanying text, offer a glimpse into the beliefs and understandings of the natural world during this period. The manuscript is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.