Following in the footsteps of the Mongol Genghis Khan (1162–1227), the fearless Turkic leader Timur (r. 1336–1405) conquered Iran and parts of Central Asia in the 1370s, founding the Timurid dynasty (1370–1507). Alongside his military exploits, Timur became an active patron of the arts, a commitment shared by his descendants.

This manuscript, in two volumes, was commissioned by his grandson, Iskandar Sultan (1384–1415), when he was governor of Shiraz, in southwestern Iran.

Among the 32 miniatures is a painting of Bahram Gur and the Seven Portraits that illustrates a poem by Nizami (c. 1141–1209), which follows the Sassanian ruler’s hunting prowess and actions as a monarch. The narrative is structured around Bahram Gur’s weekly visits to seven princesses, who offer stories which are both sensual and edifying. Each princess is imbued with Islamic cosmography and represents a clime (India, Rum, Choresmina, Slavonia, Maghreb, China, Iran), colour, planet, and day of the week.