Shahnameh watch

This watch features a reversible face with the image ‘Siyavash Plays Polo Before Afrasiyab’.

The image, attributed to Qasim b. Ali under the directorship of Mir Musavvir ca. 1525–30 is borrowed from the illustration of the manuscript of the Shahnameh produced for Shah Tahmasp. It is currently held in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. © MMA 1970.301.26

In this episode, Turanian King Afrasiyab suggests a game of polo and Siyavash accepts but requests that he have Iranian players, as Turanian players would not play so well against their own King. Afrasiyab accepts this and is impressed by Siyavash’s ability.

Original artefact

Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp, attributed to Qasim b. Ali under Mir Musavvir, ca. 1525–30 — MMA 1970.301.26 — The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York