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Ok! Found illustrations of some of these gentledjinn-- let's go! Double thread alert.
I couldn't find any images of the cardinal djinn kings Masir Kamtam Taykial and Qaswarah, even though I've read that their names at least were common on amulets and talismans like the one below (HAM 2002.59). Anyone seen any?
I did find images of the others in 2 manuscripts: A 15th c. Kitab al-Bulhan ("Book of Wonders") held by the Bodleian (S. Bodl. Or. 133), and a 14th c. book called the Kitab al-mawalid, attributed to Abu Ma'shar al-Balki, held at the BnF (Arabe 2583)
First, Al-Mudhib! He's identifiable here by devouring the snakes, and he is the first in the sequence after Iblis in the Kitab al-mawalid (BnF Arabe 2583 fol. 2v)
The next one I was able to find was Al-Ahmar, who appears in both manuscripts (MS. Bodl. Or. 133 f. 31a, BnF Arabe 2583 f. 3v). He's more red in the BnF manuscript, but his battle prowess is emphasized in the Bodleian version.
Shamhurish is shown in the Bodleian mss. NOT looking particularly saint-like, and a distinct shade of cool blue (MS. Bodl. Or. 133 f. 32b)
The Bodleian claims that Zawbah/Zawba'a is shown here (MS. Bodl. Or. 133 f.31b), though none of his distinctive traits seem to show up in this depiction
Maymun, with his wings and a rather dog-like head, appears in the Bodleian manuscript as well (MS. Bodl. Or. 133 f.32a)
I couldn't find Umm al-Subyan, but the Bodleian manuscript does depict Tabia, a jinna who causes stillbirths. Maybe another name for the same being? (MS. Bodl. Or. 133 f. 29b)
Finally, Iblis. Iblis is often illustrated, but he is also among the djinn kings in these two manuscripts, his horns making a crown of sorts and looking like a veritable sage in the BnF version! (MS. Bodl. Or. 133 f. 33a and BnF Arabe 2583 f. 2r)
Thanks for following along! It's fascinating to see the differences in how the djinn and angels are portrayed, if you compare it to my dual thread with @aaolomi on angels, here:
@aaolomi Oh, and these two manuscripts I reference here have been digitized in their entirety by the tireless staff at both institutions, here: gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv… and here: digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/inquire/p/4199…. Check them out!
Oh and one more thing! Thanks as always to @iconographile for her help with this!!
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