The dervish brings the King of Kings before the king of Bahilistan, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Seventh Night

c. 1560

Mughal India, court of Akbar

(reigned 1556–1605)

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Medium

gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper

Measurements

Overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); Painting only: 13.3 x 9.9 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/8 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.46.a

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

This painting was likely done by the same artist who made folios 20r (1962.279.20.a), 30r (1962.279.30.a), and 46v (1962.279.46.b).

Description

The vizier advised the king that he should tell the dervish that he must bring the head of the King of Kings before he will give his daughter in marriage to him. The dervish then went to the King of Kings with his plight, who said that he would go himself to the local king, and bring him his head still attached to his body. At the bottom of the composition is a formal garden with leafy groundcover and canals of water. The composition has been altered, as there was an oval of gold beneath the central pool of water and orange tiles under the architectural pavilions on the roof. The strip of blue with delicate floral arabesque was added in accordance with a taste for more updated Persian styles.