The fire ordeal of Seyavash, from a Shahnameh
attributed to Afghanistan, Herat, The fire ordeal of Seyavash, from a Shahnameh, ca. 1430, ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Edwin Binney, 3rd, public domain, 70.27.4
This work is not currently on view.
- Title
The fire ordeal of Seyavash, from a Shahnameh
- Artist
attributed to Afghanistan, Herat
- Date
ca. 1430
- Period
Timurid period (1385-ca. 1507)
- Medium
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
- Dimensions (H x W x D)
9 5/8 in x 8 1/8 in
- Collection Area
Asian Art
- Category
Paintings
Islamic Art
- Object Type
painting
- Culture
Iranian
Persian
- Credit Line
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Edwin Binney, 3rd
- Accession Number
70.27.4
- Copyright
public domain
- Terms
- Place Made
Created in: Herat
Seyavash, heir to the throne of Iran, rejected the seductive behavior of one of his father's wives. Furious, she accused him of rape and causing her to miscarry twins. Although the king doubted her word, he was unable to deny her demand that Seyavash undergo a trial by fire. A great pyre was built and soaked with pitch; when torched, flames shot into the sky and the heat scorched the earth. Crowds that had gathered
… wept to see the prince, who came alone On a black horse before his father's throne; His helmet was of gold, his clothes were white And camphor-strewn, according to the rite That's used in preparation of a shroud. …
Seyavash drove his horse into the fire, and soon both disappeared in the flames. Suddenly the crowd roared, "The young prince has escaped the fire!" He emerged unscathed, proof of his innocence.
