L12223

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Lot 61
  • 61

A Royal Qajar firman of Nasir al-Din Shah to Mu'tamid al-Sultan Reza Khan, Persia, dated 1303 AH/1886 AD

Estimate
7,000 - 10,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • ink, gold and gouache on paper
Persian manuscript on paper, 8 lines to the page, written in large nasta'liq script in black ink within cloud bands against a gold ground sprinkled with flowers, interspersed with panels of interlacing leafy fronds in gold, surmounted by an illuminated quatrefoil motif in colours and gold enclosing the seal of Nasr al-Din Shah, ruled in blue, red and gold, pink outer margins, various seals to reverse

Condition

In generally good overall condition, some creases and a few stains and vertical tears, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

This firman of Nasr al-Din Shah to Mu'tamid al-Sultan Reza Khan conerns the duties that the latter performed well at the consulate in Tiblisi. As a result he is rewarded with the rank of 'General Ajudan' and an annual salary increase of 500 tumans. This was awarded on the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yahya Khan Mushir al-Dawla.

Mirza Reza Khan, later known as 'Prince' and titled Arfa' al-Dawla, was a poet with the pen name Danesh, and also a diplomat of the late Qajar period. His main political career started at the consulate in Tiblisi from where he rose to become an interpreter to Nasr al-Din Shah, and helped with the dispites between Russia and Iran regarding the boundaries of Khurasan. Among his posts were the Consul-General in Tiblisi, Persian Minister to the Russian Court, and Ambassador to the Ottoman Court.