THE SCENE: When the powerful general Sam was out on campaign, he wanted to know what his new grandson Rostam looked like. No expense was spared in creating a life-sized doll duplicate of the young “lion”.
THE TEXT: They sewed a doll of silk, that was the same height as this lion who had not yet tasted milk, and stuffed it with sable fur. Its face shone like the sun and the evening star. They traced a dragon on its bicep, placed a lion’s paw in its hand, tucked a lance beneath its arm, and put a mace in one hand and reins in the other Then they sat it on a charger surrounded by servants, scattered gold coins over the group, and sent this image of Rostam with his mace to Sam.
– The Shahnameh, Abolqasem Ferdowsi, 10th Century AD
