Mirror Case with Portrait of the Eunuch Manuchihr Khan Mu`tamid al-Dawla
Arts of the Islamic World
This lacquer mirror case was made under the patronage of the Georgian eunuch Manuchihr Khan, known as Muctamid al-Dawla, who served as viceroy of the provinces of Kirmanshah, Luristan, and Khuzistan, and later as governor of Isfahan under Muhammad Shah Qajar (r. 1834–1848). In the 1840s, Muctamid al-Dawla was considered one of the most powerful men in Iran. He had at his disposal an elaborate court administration with all its accoutrements, including the services of fine artists. Muhammad Ismacil, considered the greatest lacquer painter of his generation, probably produced this mirror case early in his career, before he was nominated naqqashbashi, or painter laureate.
MEDIUM
Ink, opaque watercolor, metallic pigment, and gold on papier mâché under lacquered varnish
DATES
ca. 1847
DYNASTY
Qajar
PERIOD
Qajar Period
DIMENSIONS
9 x 5 1/2 in. (22.9 x 14 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of the Islamic World
ACCESSION NUMBER
71.49.2
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles K. Wilkinson
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
This lacquer mirror case was made under the patronage of the Georgian eunuch Manuchihr Khan, known as Mu`tamid al-Dawla, who served as viceroy of the provinces of Kirmanshah, Luristan, and Khuzistan, and later as governor of Isfahan under Muhammad Shah Qajar (r. 1834–1848). In the 1840s, Mu`tamid al-Dawla was considered one of the most powerful men in Iran. He had at his disposal an elaborate court administration with all its accoutrements, including the services of fine artists. Muhammad Isma`il, considered the greatest lacquer painter of his generation, probably produced this mirror case early in his career, before he was nominated naqqashbash, or painter laureate.
Islamic Galleries, June 2009
Ladan Akbarnia
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Attributed to Muhammad Isma`il Isfahani (active 1847–1871). Mirror Case with Portrait of the Eunuch Manuchihr Khan Mu`tamid al-Dawla, ca. 1847. Ink, opaque watercolor, metallic pigment, and gold on papier mâché under lacquered varnish, 9 x 5 1/2 in. (22.9 x 14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles K. Wilkinson, 71.49.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 71.49.2_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 71.49.2_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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