Elephant (Fil), from Aja'ib al-makhluqat (Wonders of Creation), by al-Qazvini

Object Details

Author

Zakariyya ibn Muhammad al-Qazwini (1203-1283)

Label

The somewhat awkward but sympathetic image of the elephant illustrates the animal's strong and likable nature as described in the second part of the Aja'ib-al makhluqat. Al-Qazwini characterizes the elephant as a loyal and good-humored animal, but one apt never to forget ill-treatment. Although it is among the bulkiest and heaviest of beasts, the elephant is also elegant and agile. According to the text, the elephant can be trained to hold a sword with its trunk and overcome as many as five thousand horsemen. Al-Qazwini also describes some fo the medical properties of the elephant's body parts. The tusk, for instance, makes a good oinment against freckles, while other parts help against epilepsy, leprosy, high fever, and tumors.

Provenance

To 1945

Friedrich Paul Theodor Sarre (1865-1945). [1]

To 1954

Mme. Maria Sarre, Ascona, Switzerland. [2]

From 1954

Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Dr. Paul Kempner, New York on behalf of Mme. Maria Sarre, Ascona, Switzerland. [3]

Notes:

[1] Object file F1954.33-114, undated folder sheet note 2. “The manuscript was originally acquired by Prof. Friedrich Sarre in Algiers”.

[2] Object file F1954.33-114, undated folder sheet note 1. See also Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List after 1920 file, Collections Management Office.

[3] See note 2. See also invoice dated July 22, 1954 and correspondences between Dr. Paul Kempner and the Freer Gallery, dated July 21, 1954; copies in object file.

Collection

Freer Gallery of Art Collection

Exhibition History

Engaging the Senses (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)

Arts of the Islamic World (May 3, 1998 to January 3, 2016)

Art of the Arab World (May 8, 1975 to August 20, 1977)

Collection of Friedrich and Maria Sarre (1932)

Previous custodian or owner

Friedrich Paul Theodor Sarre (1865-1945)

Mme. Maria Sarre (1875-1971)

Credit Line

Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

early 15th century

Accession Number

F1954.95

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Manuscript

Medium

Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 32.7 x 22.4 cm (12 7/8 x 8 13/16 in)

Origin

Iraq or Eastern Turkey

Related Online Resources

Google Cultural Institute

See more items in

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Topic

elephant

naskh script

Turkey

Iraq

Wonders of Creation

Arts of the Islamic World

Record ID

fsg_F1954.95

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ye3e42d322d-6d41-4f9a-af0f-35ca9adc7870