Persian Miniature – Rostam Caught in Chagdad’s Trap

Bronwen & Jackie both admired a jigsaw that Genest sold on ebay (1235pc Miniature Khamsa of Amir Khusrau Dahlevi) and asked him to re-cut a stack of two for them. Genest decided he wouldn’t repeat images but offered us a pair of mystery puzzles with an advanced cut. He delivered the commission at the 2023 House Party. We assembled the pair simultaneously as a group project – only knowing the dimensions of the jigsaw. Although the piece count was lower than other Genest group projects it was a complex image and novel cut. Part of the edge and the text panels were assembled first, but the image was difficult to deduce. We discovered one shaped edge and a tree canopy with dropouts, which protruded from the top left corner.

The story depicted is from Shahnama, or the 'Book of Kings' - a verse by the Persian poet Firdawsi composed around 1010. ‘Rostam caught in Chagdad’s trap’ shows the double death of legendary Persian hero Rostam and his brother Chagdad (who is killed by Rostam’s dying bowshot through a tree).

Date: 2023
Brand: Le Colimacon
Material: 3mm Okoume plywood
Nationality: French
Pieces: 796
Theme: Persian Miniature, Hero
Title Miniature Persanne - Rostam Pris Au Piege de Chaghad (Persian Miniature – Rostam Caught in Chagdad’s Trap)