Negroes & Mamluk or Ilkhanid cavalry in Kitāb al-mawālīd, 13thC

[Druzhina]

The Kitāb al-mawālīd (Book of nativities), attributed to Abū Maٔšar, contains pictures of Negroes & armoured Mamluk or Ilkhanid cavalry of the late 13th century. It is written in Arabic but where it was made is uncertain. It shows the figures of the zodiac signs & the phases of the moon personified.
The Demon Zauba'a with mace
Negroes in Taurus, Leo, Libra & Pisces
Negroes in phases of the moon with links to full folios.
Mamluk or Ilkhanid Armoured Cavalry
Turkic style archers in Sagittarius
Negroes with axe & armoured cavalry with ventail in Capricorn
Negroes in Aquarius


MIRROR SITE
Kitāb al-mawālīd (Book of nativities), attributed to Abū Maٔšar, contains pictures of Negroes & armoured Mamluk or Ilkhanid cavalry of the late 13th century.

Druzhina
13th Century Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

[Techno]

Interesting. Good find, D.
Cheers - Phil

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Well, that's one way to illustrate it...

[Subedai]

More interesting source material. Nice find.

[jchaos79]

used as the personal guard of the Miramamolin (Muhammad al Nasir) early 13th century Spain almohad army.

[Dunnadd]

Why are they putting a naked person on a goat and then threatening them with swords in one of those? I get that the goat represents capricorn - it's the rest i don't get

[Druzhina]

Why are they putting a naked person on a goat and then threatening them with swords in one of those? I get that the goat represents capricorn - it's the rest i don't get

The other figures in the main panel may represent planets. The Kitāb al-Bulhān has Saturn riding Capricorn.
If you could read 13th century Arabic it would probably make some sense.


Druzhina
13th Century Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

[Dunnadd]

Trust me -  i can't even read a single word of present day Arabic  - but thanks for the info

[getagrip]

Why are they putting a naked person on a goat and then threatening them with swords in one of those? I get that the goat represents capricorn - it's the rest i don't get

Everyone needs a hobby 

[Druzhina]

BTW, the Old-Testament prophecy about riding the ass and her colt may be about the stars "The Ass and her Colt" and the astronomical timing of an event rather than the confusing Gospel accounts where one has Jesus riding an ass and another has him riding 2 asses, when entering Jerusalem.

Druzhina
13th Century Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers