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Image of Polo Players

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Bookmark: https://collection.sdmart.org/objects-1/info/5280

Polo Players


Creation date: ca. 1530
Creation place: Iran

Other Information

Type: Manuscript Painting
Medium and Support: Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Credit Line: Museum purchase with funds provided by the Asian Arts Council and the Elsie S. Kimberly Bequest
Accession Number: 1968.2
State/Province: Fars Province
Dimensions: 7 1/2 in. x 4 1/4 in. (19.05 cm x 10.8 cm)

Provenance

Mrs. Arpine Demirdjian, Los Angeles, Califronia ( - December 31, 1967)

San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego, California (December 31, 1967 - )

Label Copy

June 2006
Asian Reinstallation
This illustrated scene from Iran's national epic, the Shahnama, depicts the moment when Bahram Chubin, a military commander who usurped the throne of Persia in 590, discovers an assassination plot against him on the polo field. He had received a tip from the would-be assassin's wife that her husband had strapped on chain mail under his polo garments. Once on the field, Bahram Chubin tapped the assassin's back, discovered the chain mail, and promptly cleaved him with his sword.
Although the story takes place during the Sassanian period in the sixth century, the figures wear contemporary sixteenth-century garments and Safavid turbans with the distinctive red batons. The gold sky, stylized clouds derived from Chinese prototypes, and high pale hills dotted with plants are typical features of Shirazi painting of this period.


8/25/2017 - Diana Chou
This scene comes from the Shahnama, an Iranian epic. Military commander Bahram Chubin, who usurped the throne of Persia in 560, discovers an assassination plot against him. Once on the field, he learns his opponent wore chain mail and proceeds to kill him. Although the story takes place during the Sasanian period, the figures wear contemporary sixteenth-century garments and Safavid turbans with red batons. The gold sky and stylized clouds originate from Chinese prototypes and the hills dotted with plants are typical features of Shirazi painting of this period.


Last Updated: 1/27/2023

Exhibition

This object was included in the following exhibitions:

Persian Miniatures San Diego Museum of Art , 11/23/1967 - 12/31/1967

Asian Games: The Art of the Contest , 10/14/2004 - 9/25/2005

Arts of Iran The San Diego Museum of Art , 1/20/2017 - 00/00/00

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Middle East

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