Demon in chains
Style of Muhammad Siya Qalam (Iranian) · c. 1453 · Cleveland Museum of Art
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From the museum
This page once belonged to a miscellany from the library of the early Ottonian sultans. It depicts two people in nomadic garb leading a demon, or Persian div, in chains between them. The female figure holding the chain to her face is painted to look nearly as ferocious as the captured div. The concept of divs as evil supernatural creatures of mysterious origin dates to pre-Islamic Persia, but they are also described in the text of the Qur'an. Divs in Persian literature and folktales are sometimes captured and forced to use their magic to serve a king or hero.
The museum’s own description, in English. Licence: CC0
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Details
- Maker
- Style of Muhammad Siya Qalam (Iranian)
- Date
- c. 1453
- Medium
- opaque watercolor and gold on paper
- Dimensions
- Image: 25.7 x 34.4 cm (10 1/8 x 13 9/16 in.); Overall: 27 x 35.2 cm (10 5/8 x 13 7/8 in.)
- Place of origin
- Iran or Central Asia
- Held by
- Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · Not on view
- Credit line
- Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Image: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0