1330 (ca.), [Iran], Iskandar and the talking tree [folio from the Great Mongol Shahnama] -- National Museum of Asian Art (Washington)

From the museum label: At the edge of the world, Iskandar comes upon a wondrous tree with two trunks, one male, which speaks in the daytime, and the other female, which speaks at night. While Iskandar is waiting to hear both, the female part warns him of his imminent death, despite his immeasurable power and wealth. To create the scene's eeriness, the artist included fantastic elements, such as fungus-like rocks inspired by Chinese models. This scene may have resonated with the Ilkhanids, as some of them still maintained their shamanistic traditions and practices, including visits to sacred trees.

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