Works currently lent to other museums
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Double frontispiece from a copy of Firdawsi’s Shahnama. ‘Solomon and Bilqis Enthroned’
Iran, Shiraz; c. 1540-1550
Each leaf: 37.2 × 23.2 cm
King Solomon (Sulayman) and the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis) are mentioned in the holy books of the Jews, the Christians, and the Muslims.
According to the Koran, Solomon ruled not only over man and beast, but also over demons and other mythical creatures, and he spoke their languages. Like his father Dawud (King David), he is considered one of God’s prophets, and it he who succeeded in converting Bilqis, who had been a sun-worshipper, to the true faith.
The two are shown on their separate thrones in a mountainous landscape, surrounded by a motley court of people, animals, demons, and angels. Peace and harmony prevail, and the wolf and the deer drink from the same fountain.
Lent to the exhibition
According to the Koran, Solomon ruled not only over man and beast, but also over demons and other mythical creatures, and he spoke their languages. Like his father Dawud (King David), he is considered one of God’s prophets, and it he who succeeded in converting Bilqis, who had been a sun-worshipper, to the true faith.
The two are shown on their separate thrones in a mountainous landscape, surrounded by a motley court of people, animals, demons, and angels. Peace and harmony prevail, and the wolf and the deer drink from the same fountain.
Lent to the exhibition
BIGGER PICTURE
Connected worlds of Bruges 900-1550
BRUSK, Bruges, Belgium
BRUSK, Bruges, Belgium
May 8 – September 6, 2026
Inv. no. 83b/2006 & 83a/2006
Published in:
Christie's, London, 19/6-1968, lot 10;
Kjeld von Folsach: For the Privileged Few: Islamic Miniature Painting from The David Collection, Louisiana, Humlebæk 2007, cat.no. 39;
Kjeld von Folsach, Joachim Meyer: The Human Figure in Islamic Art – Holy Men, Princes, and Commoners, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2017, cat.no. 71;
Kjeld von Folsach: For the Privileged Few: Islamic Miniature Painting from The David Collection, Louisiana, Humlebæk 2007, cat.no. 39;
Kjeld von Folsach, Joachim Meyer: The Human Figure in Islamic Art – Holy Men, Princes, and Commoners, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2017, cat.no. 71;