Material Objects

Here, we can see an object depicting the story of Zahhak that creates a parallel to the story of Shahrayar, a warning almost. It is an image accompanying the story of Zahhak in the Shahnama from around the 14th century. In which, King Zahhak has been stripped of his clothes and is presented in front of Faridun for his previous crimes against his peoples. The background of the image is faded watercolour with many details lost, but the spaces that are now blank can be filled with details from other areas. The walls were an ornate blue tile and the ceiling had a white base with blue flowers and details added on, this was an important and respected hall. The other people in the image are wearing formal clothing and headdresses, one man is leaning into the frame as if not supposed to be in the proceeding but sneaking in. Faridun sits on a thrown ornately clothed in blue and gold cloth and a crown befitting his standing on his head as he looks down to the centre of the piece where Zahhak kneels on the floor. Here Zahhak stands out due to the lack of colour or clothing to him, and the snakes protruding from his shoulders are deeper black than anything in the picture, signifying their darkness in contrast to the humanity that surrounds them.(Firdausi) The image of Zahhak serves as a timeline of what could've happened to Shahrayar had he not decided to spare Shahrazad. If Shahrayar had continued to let his monstrous side grow and continue to kill women each night he would have fallen to a similar fate. Instead, he was tricked into not killing for one tousand and one nights in which his humanity had time to grow and overtake his monstrous side.

Another page from the Shahnama depicts Zahhak having fainted in his royal court after hearing that an unborn prince, Faridun, will be his demise. Zahhak has his headdress off of his head, which foreshadows his demise artistically as well. The people around him are tending to him as is their duty, but there are people outside the gate that are eager to get in, not out of love or mourning for the news but to rejoice in the evil Zahhak’s demise.(Firdausi) This piece is very elaborate in its depiction showing that the artist took great care in depicting Zahhak's learning of his downfall, signalling that the artist approved and greatly disliked Zahhak, hinting at his evil. This relates back to the first item in that it depicts Zahhak and his story of monstrosity and evil.

Another page from the Shahnama tells of Iskandar’s funeral and how his people mourned him, accompanied by an image of his casket. The image is very small and simple but still conveys the love for Iskandar of his people. Iskandar’s casket can be seen, with some of his subjects laying over the casket in mourning, while others hold their hands to their head in shock or grief. There are clouds creeping into the image as well, as clouds are often seen as a symbol of incoming dark times, showing how important Iskandar was to his people and how they would struggle to move on.(Firdausi) This is an example of how a king was treated when he cared for his people. Iskandar had the option at one point to fall to his monstrous desire and collect anyone who would threaten his legacy, and kill them. (Stock) However, Iskandar chose not to do so creating the difference between him and Shahrayar and Zahhak, he chose his humanity over monstrosity.