Arkivism
Qualities of Ringdoves (recto); On the Benefits of Quails (verso), from a Persian Manafi‘ al-Hayawan (The Benefits of Animals) of Abu Said Ubaid-Allah ibn Jibrail ibn Bakhtishu (died 1058–68)
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Qualities of Ringdoves (recto); On the Benefits of Quails (verso), from a Persian Manafi‘ al-Hayawan (The Benefits of Animals) of Abu Said Ubaid-Allah ibn Jibrail ibn Bakhtishu (died 1058–68)

c. 1300 · opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

This small illustration of ringdoves incorporates the influence of Chinese naturalism in the drawing of the tree trunk and lotus blossom. In contrast, the reverse side is more traditional. The innovative page layouts feature cursive nashki script with bold angular kufic script headings. Derived from Aristotelian sources, this treatise deals with the physical characteristics and organs of animals. The text was translated into Persian from Arabic for the Ilkhanid ruler Ghazan Khan (reigned 1295–1304). Roughly a dozen pages from this long-lost manuscript are known. It is dated by comparison with a similar manuscript made at Maragha, near Tabriz, in 1297 or 1299.

Cleveland Museum of Art’s own description
Credit lineQualities of Ringdoves (recto); On the Benefits of Quails (verso), from a Persian Manafi‘ al-Hayawan (The Benefits of Animals) of Abu Said Ubaid-Allah ibn Jibrail ibn Bakhtishu (died 1058–68), c. 1300. Iran, Maragah, Ilkhanid period (1256–1353). Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper; image: 10.2 x 9 cm (4 x 3 9/16 in.); overall: 24.7 x 18.2 cm (9 3/4 x 7 3/16 in.); text area: 22.2 x 16.5 cm (8 3/4 x 6 1/2 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund, 1945.382
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