"The Old Snake Tells the Tale of Biting the Ascetic's Son by Mistake", Folio from a Kalila wa Dimna
Unknown Artist
second quarter 16th century
Medium
Ink and opaque watercolor on paper
Dimensions
Overall: H. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm) W. 8 7/8 in. (22.6 cm) Average text size: H. 8 5/8 in. (21.9 cm) W. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm)
Classification
Codices
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Alice and Nasli Heeramaneck Collection, Gift of Alice Heeramaneck, 1981
Accession Number
1981.373.73
Tags
Art Historical Context
This captivating folio from a *Kalila wa Dimna* manuscript, titled *"The Old Snake Tells the of Biting the Asc's Son by Mistake*, dates to the second of the 16th and hails from the rich tradition of Islamic art.Kalila wa Dimna a Persian adaptation of ancient Indian fables akin to Aesop's tales, features anthropomorphic animals imparting moral lessons on wisdom, folly, and human nature. Produced in royal workshops, these manuscripts were prized in courts for their blend of storytelling and exquisite illustration, serving as both entertainment and ethical guidebooks. Rendered in ink and opaque ...