Illuminated title page: opening verses of the Shahnama, folio from a manuscript of the Shanama by Firdawsi

The verso of this folio features a richly illuminated taj, or crown-like element, at the top and a cartouche below it that contains the title of the work, inscribed in white: “Book of the Shahnama.” The text, with the beginning of Firdawsi’s prologue to the epic, is written in black nasta'liq in “cloud” reserves against a gold background filled with tiny flowers.