The Thieves on the Roof Awaken the Merchant", 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
1981.373.16
Tags
Art Historical Context
This vibrant folio from a *Kalila wa Dimna* captures a tense nocturnal scene titled *The Thieves on the Awaken the Merchant*. to the second quarter of the 16th century, it hails from the rich tradition of Persian illuminated books in the Islamic world. *Kalila wa Dimna an Arabic adaptation of ancient Indian fables like the *Panchatantra*, animal and human tales to impart moral lessons on wisdom, deceit, and power. Here, sneaky thieves perch on a rooftop, their plot foiled as they rouse the watchful merchant below—a classic narrative moment rendered with dynamic energy. Crafted by an unknown a...