Photographs and negatives of Sonia P. and Hans C. Seherr-Thoss. Mounted and unmounted color slides, transparencies, black and white negatives, mounted prints, contact sheets, and a photograph, circa 1960-1968. The majority of images, taken by Hans C. Seherr-Thoss, appear in their publication, Design and Color in Islamic Architecture: Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey, published by the, Smithsonian Institution Press, in 1968. Countries depicted are Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Scope and Contents of the Collection:
Photographs and negatives of Islamic monuments. Photos taken by Hans C. Seherr-Thoss and most appear in his and Sonia P. Seherr-Thoss' publication, Design and color in Islamic architecture: Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey.
The mounted slides have been placed in cold storage due to preservation concerns and the transparencies and mounted photos have not yet been processed.
Arrangement note:
This collection is arranged into three series by format: 1. Mounted slides, 2. Transparencies, and 3. Mounted photos. Only the mounted slides have been arranged and remain in their original order.
Biographical/Historical note:
Count Hans Seherr-Thoss was born in Dobrau, Germany in 1912 (New York Times, October 29, 1992.) He later became a United States citizen and served in the United States' Army during World War II. Sonia Phipps Farrell married Seherr-Thoss in Palm Beach, Florida, on March 3, 1948 (The Washington Post, March 2, 1948.) Both had children from previous marriages. Mrs. Seherr-Thoss graduated from Columbia University with majors in economics and sociology. She served as president of the Litchfield (Connecticut) Historical Society and the Oliver Wolcott Library. She received the Paul Harris Fellowship for community service and the Connecticut Association of Schools awarded her the Distinguished Friend of Education Award. In 1968, the Smithsonian Institution Press published, Design and Color in Islamic Architecture: Afganistan, Iran, Turkey. Written by Mrs. Seherr-Thoss, the photographs were taken by Mr. Seherr-Thoss during their travels to the concerned regions. Many of the photographs featured in that publication are included in this collection. Hans C. Seherr-Thoss died on October 28, 1992 and Sonia P. Seherr-Thoss died on June 13, 2006.
Biography of Sonia P. and Hans C. Seherr-Thoss:
Count Hans Seherr-Thoss was born in Dobrau, Germany in 1912 (New York Times, October 29, 1992.) He later became a United States citizen and served in the United States' Army during World War II.
Sonia Phipps Farrell married Seherr-Thoss in Palm Beach, Florida, on March 3, 1948 (The Washington Post, March 2, 1948.) Both had children from previous marriages. Mrs. Seherr-Thoss graduated from Columbia University with majors in economics and sociology. She served as president of the Litchfield (Connecticut) Historical Society and the Oliver Wolcott Library. She received the Paul Harris Fellowship for community service and the Connecticut Association of Schools awarded her the Distinguished Friend of Education Award.
In 1968, the Smithsonian Institution Press published, Design and Color in Islamic Architecture: Afganistan, Iran, Turkey. Written by Mrs. Seherr-Thoss, the photographs were taken by Mr. Seherr-Thoss during their travels to the concerned regions. Many of the photographs featured in that publication are included in this collection.
Hans C. Seherr-Thoss died on October 28, 1992 and Sonia P. Seherr-Thoss died on June 13, 2006.
Related Materials:
Other collections housed in the archives documenting Islamic monuments include: Ambassador Richard B. Parker Photographs of Islamic Monuments and the Lionel Bier Architectural Drawings.
Provenance:
This collection was donated by Sonia P. Seherr-Thoss, 2001
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Mounted slides are in cold storage; digital surrogates are preferred for access. One week's notice is required prior to access originals.
Rights:
Permission to reproduce and publish an item from the Archives is coordinated through the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery's Rights and Reproductions department. Please contact the Archives in order to initiate this process.
Topic:
Decoration and ornament, Architectural -- Middle East Search this
Hans C. and Sonia P. Seherr-Thoss Photographs of Islamic Architecture. FSA.A2001.15. Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives. Gift of Sonia P. Seherr-Thoss, 2001.
Šahrestānīhā-ī Ērānšahr a Middle Persian text on late antique geography, epic, and history : with English and Persian translations [edited and translated by] Touraj Daryaee
Iberien zwischen Rom und Iran Beiträge zur Geschichte und Kultur Transkaukasiens in der Antike herausgegeben von Frank Schleicher, Timo Stickler und Udo Hartmann
The politics of the past the representation of the ancient empires by Iran's modern states Maryam Dezhamkhooy and Leila Papoli-Yazdi ; illustrations by Ali Roustaeeyanfard
Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); The story of Khusraw and the hermit (the old astrologer greets Khusraw Parviz at the door of his hermitage); reverse: illustration and text, Khusraw Parviz's letter to Caesar of Rome
Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d. 1020); recto: Bahram Gur learns of his father’s death; verso: The Persians write to Manzer, Bahram Gur travels to Jahrom and talks to Persians
Medium:
Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
Dimensions:
H x W (overall): 25.2 x 18.6 cm (9 15/16 x 7 5/16 in)
Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (died 1020); recto: illustration and text: Akvan Div prepares to heave the sleeping Rustam into the sea; verso: text
Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d. 1020); recto: text, Afrasiyab’s dream; verso: text, Garsiwaz takes Afrasiyab's message to Siyavush and Rustam
Medium:
Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
Dimensions:
H x W (overall): 25.2 x 19.3 cm (9 15/16 x 7 5/8 in)
Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); recto: text, Rustam came before Kavus after spying on Sohrab; verso: illustration and text, Sohrab summons Hajir and surveys the Persian camp
Medium:
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions:
H x W (overall): 25 x 18.2 cm (9 13/16 x 7 3/16 in)
Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (died 1020); recto: text, Bahram speaks with his advisors; verso: text, Bahram's sister Gordya advises him
Medium:
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions:
H x W (overall): 25.9 x 19.3 cm (10 3/16 x 7 5/8 in)
Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); recto: Siyawush cleaves an onager into equal halves while hunting with Afrasiyab; verso: text, Piran’s Advice to Siyawush
Medium:
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions:
H x W (overall): 25.5 x 19.4 cm (10 1/16 x 7 5/8 in)
Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); recto: text, Manija takes Bijan to her chamber in Afrasiyab’s palace, Afrasiyab learns of Bijan's presence; verso: Piran stays the execution of Bijan at the very foot of the gibbet
Medium:
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions:
H x W (overall): 26.4 x 18.4 cm (10 3/8 x 7 1/4 in)
Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d. 1020); recto: text, The king of Hamaveran plots against Kavus; verso: text, Afrasiyab renews the war
Medium:
Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
Dimensions:
H x W (overall): 26.4 x 19.1 cm (10 3/8 x 7 1/2 in)
