Double frontispiece from a copy of Firdawsi’s Shahnama. ‘Solomon and Bilqis Enthroned’
Iran, Shiraz; c. 1540-1550
Each leaf: 37.2 × 23.2 cm
Inventory number 83b/2006 & 83a/2006
King Solomon (Sulayman) and the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis) are mentioned in the holy books of the Jews, the Christians, and the Muslims.
According to the Koran, Solomon ruled not only over man and beast, but also over demons and other mythical creatures, and he spoke their languages. Like his father Dawud (King David), he is considered one of God’s prophets, and it he who succeeded in converting Bilqis, who had been a sun-worshipper, to the true faith.
The two are shown on their separate thrones in a mountainous landscape, surrounded by a motley court of people, animals, demons, and angels. Peace and harmony prevail, and the wolf and the deer drink from the same fountain.
According to the Koran, Solomon ruled not only over man and beast, but also over demons and other mythical creatures, and he spoke their languages. Like his father Dawud (King David), he is considered one of God’s prophets, and it he who succeeded in converting Bilqis, who had been a sun-worshipper, to the true faith.
The two are shown on their separate thrones in a mountainous landscape, surrounded by a motley court of people, animals, demons, and angels. Peace and harmony prevail, and the wolf and the deer drink from the same fountain.
Published in
Published in
Christie's, London 19/6 1968, lot 10;
Kjeld von Folsach: For the Privileged Few. Islamic Miniature Painting from The David Collection, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebæk 2007, cat. 39;
Kjeld von Folsach and Joachim Meyer: The Human Figure in Islamic Art. Holy Men, Princes and Commoners, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2017, cat. 71;
Peter Frankopan and Jan Dumolyn (eds.): Connected Worlds of Bruges, Musea Brugge, Brugge 2026, fig. 15-16, pp. 180-181, pp. 190-193 (details);
Miniature Paintings
Miniature from a copy of Assar Tabrizi’s Mihr wa Mushtari. ‘Mihr in a Bath House in Khwarazm’
Miniature from a copy of Jafar al-Sadiq’s Falnama. ‘Idolaters Before an Idol’
Miniature from a copy of Jafar al-Sadiq’s Falnama. ‘Karkhi, Gatekeeper at the Tomb of Imam Reza, is Honored’
Miniature from a copy of Firdawsi’s Shahnama. ‘Shah Anushirvan Captures the Fortress of Saqila’