Bahram Gur Hunting Onagers
Page from the Great Mongol Shahnama (Book of Kings)
Iran (probably Tabriz), 1330s
Ink, colors, and gold on paper
Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, Mass.,
Jerome Wheelock Fund (1935.24)
cat. 57
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On a hunt, Bahram Gur astounded his companions with
his prowess at hunting onagers, a type of Asian wild ass (and the
source of the nickname “Gur”).
As a gesture of generosity, Bahram ordered 1,200 onagers (half
to be branded and half to be earmarked with gold rings) to be distributed
among the people. As in other such scenes, this painting simultaneously
illustrates different moments in the narrative.
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