description Demotte Shahnameh Overview
The Demotte Shahnameh, also called the Great Mongol Shahnameh, is a lavishly illustrated Persian manuscript produced under the Ilkhanids in the 14th century. It contains the text of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, the Persian epic recounting the legendary and historical kings of Iran. The manuscript is distinguished by large, emotionally expressive paintings that combine Persian, Chinese, and West Asian visual elements. Dealer Georges Demotte dismantled it in the early 20th century, and surviving leaves are now dispersed among museums and private collections.
help Demotte Shahnameh FAQ
Why is the Demotte Shahnameh also called the Great Mongol Shahnameh?
The manuscript was produced under the Mongol Ilkhanid dynasty in Persia, probably in the 1330s. The Demotte name comes from Georges-Joseph Demotte, the dealer who acquired and dismantled it in the early 20th century.
Why are pages from the Demotte Shahnameh in different museums?
Demotte separated the manuscript and sold its folios individually, sometimes damaging sheets in the process. Surviving paintings are now divided among institutions and private collections, with the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art holding 14 folios.
What story does the Demotte Shahnameh illustrate?
It illustrates Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, or Book of Kings, the Persian epic spanning legendary heroes and historical rulers. Its paintings include court ceremonies, battles, deaths, and episodes involving figures such as Rustam, Iskandar, and Bahram Gur.
How large was the Great Mongol Shahnameh before it was dispersed?
Scholars estimate that it may originally have contained about 380 folios and more than 200 paintings, although the project appears never to have been completed. Only a fraction of that ambitious cycle survives today.
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