"Rustam Carrying the King of Mazandaran to Kai Kavus", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) 1405 - 1465

This folio from a *Shahnama* (Book of Kings) depicts the scene of "Rustam Carrying the King of Mazandaran to Kai Kavus." The painting, dated between 1405 and 1465, illustrates the epic Persian tale of Rustam, a legendary hero, carrying the defeated king of Mazandaran on his shoulders to the victorious King Kai Kavus. The detailed imagery includes soldiers on horseback, an elephant, and a vibrant background. This intricate miniature exemplifies the artistic brilliance of Persian manuscript illustration during the Timurid period. The original text, *Shahnama*, was composed by the renowned Persian poet Abu'l Qasim Firdausi in the 10th and 11th centuries. This folio now resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.