Partly colored drawing pasted on an album leaf. ‘Seated Peri with a Pomegranate’
Turkey, Istanbul; c.1600
Drawing: 17.8 × 11.2 cm
Inventory number 118/2006
This elegant drawing of a peri differs from contemporary but more narrative Turkish miniature painting, and one can sense a greater link with the Persian tradition. The characteristic leaf-like forms that make up the hat and wings are also found extensively as a decoration in other Ottoman art – the saz style.
Peris are not angels, although in certain traditions they are said to be descended from fallen angels. They can best be compared to ancient supernatural beings such as fairies or elves and are generally androgynous. They are frequently seen playing the lute, pouring wine, serving fruit, or simply look graceful, like this peri.
Peris are not angels, although in certain traditions they are said to be descended from fallen angels. They can best be compared to ancient supernatural beings such as fairies or elves and are generally androgynous. They are frequently seen playing the lute, pouring wine, serving fruit, or simply look graceful, like this peri.
Published in
Published in
Sotheby’s, London, 1/7-1969, lot 324;
Kjeld von Folsach: For the Privileged Few: Islamic Miniature Painting from The David Collection, Louisiana, Humlebæk 2007, cat.no. 62;
Kjeld von Folsach, Joachim Meyer: The Human Figure in Islamic Art – Holy Men, Princes, and Commoners, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2017, fig. 62, p. 257;
Kjeld von Folsach: For the Privileged Few: Islamic Miniature Painting from The David Collection, Louisiana, Humlebæk 2007, cat.no. 62;
Kjeld von Folsach, Joachim Meyer: The Human Figure in Islamic Art – Holy Men, Princes, and Commoners, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2017, fig. 62, p. 257;
