An Important and Rare Contemporary Portrait of Nadir Shah
ca. 1740's
Gouache with gold and ink on buff wasli leaf
8 3/4 x 5 3/4 inches
A Portrait of Nadir Shah
India / Mughal
Ca. 1740's
Gouache with gold and ink on buff wasli leaf
Blue borders between white and gold ruled lines
On verso: two couplets of flowing black ink Nasta’liq script with corner spandrels in ink, lapis, red and gold containing scrolling foliate designs. Salmon-colored borders with black, white and gold ruled lines.
8 3/4 x 5 3/4 inches
A rare and very fine contemporary portrait of Nadir Shah (1688-1747) who ruled as Shah of Persia
from 1736-1747. He became the founder of the Afsharid Dynasty after deposing the remnants of the Safavid Dynasty under Shah Abbas III in 1736. He conquered Mughal Northern India and in 1739 occupied Delhi and carried away the Peacock Throne and the Koh-i-Noor diamond prior to his triumphant return to Persia.
Nadir Shah is depicted here, naturalistically, in middle-age seated against a large bolster, both hands holding his campaign sword. He is dressed in Turkman style with fur stole and characteristic jeweled headgear with feathered aigrette.
Given the important position that Nadir Shah holds in the history of India and Persia it should be considered surprising that so few contemporary portraits of him remain. Sometimes referred to as the "Napoleon of Asia" and considered a military genius it may well be that he had little inclination to sit still for a portrait. There are however numerous extant later examples of his image, executed in the Nineteenth Century and usually in Delhi style, showing him in similar posture to the present painting, although generally depicting him more idealized, and somewhat younger. For one example (also in the Sackler Gallery Collection) see below S1986.439 where he is depicted seated in lavish surroundings and dressed in a gold-threaded tunic.
A highly relatable contemporary portrait, probably by the same hand, is in the Freer Gallery of Art and Sackler Gallery in the Smithsonian Institution Washington DC see: F1907.256
For a later portrait (ca. 1900 likely produced at Delhi) also in the Sackler Gallery collection see: S1986.439
Also: Sotheby's Catalogue: Oriental Manuscripts and Miniatures, London October 10, 1988 Lot58 (unillustrated)
Purchased by the present owner from a private New York collection 1978
Bibliography:
Fraser, James "The History of Nadir Shah formerly called Thamas Kuli Khan" London / Oxford University 1742
Fraser, James (reprinted as above) 1973
Humphreys, E. "The Royal Road" Scorpion Publishing 1991
Lockhart, L. "Nadir Shah" (A critical study based mainly upon contemporary sources)
Al-Irfan Historical Reprints 1976
Malcolm, John "The History of Persia: From the Most Early Period to the Present Time"
Harvard University 1829
Morgan, D. "Medieval Persia (1040-1797) A History of the Near East" Longman 1994
Axworthy, Michael "The Sword of Persia: Nadir Shah, From Tribal Warrior to Conquering Tyrant"
Indiana University Press 2007 Vol 61 Number 4 pages 748-749
private collection
India / Mughal
Ca. 1740's
Gouache with gold and ink on buff wasli leaf
Blue borders between white and gold ruled lines
On verso: two couplets of flowing black ink Nasta’liq script with corner spandrels in ink, lapis, red and gold containing scrolling foliate designs. Salmon-colored borders with black, white and gold ruled lines.
8 3/4 x 5 3/4 inches
A rare and very fine contemporary portrait of Nadir Shah (1688-1747) who ruled as Shah of Persia
from 1736-1747. He became the founder of the Afsharid Dynasty after deposing the remnants of the Safavid Dynasty under Shah Abbas III in 1736. He conquered Mughal Northern India and in 1739 occupied Delhi and carried away the Peacock Throne and the Koh-i-Noor diamond prior to his triumphant return to Persia.
Nadir Shah is depicted here, naturalistically, in middle-age seated against a large bolster, both hands holding his campaign sword. He is dressed in Turkman style with fur stole and characteristic jeweled headgear with feathered aigrette.
Given the important position that Nadir Shah holds in the history of India and Persia it should be considered surprising that so few contemporary portraits of him remain. Sometimes referred to as the "Napoleon of Asia" and considered a military genius it may well be that he had little inclination to sit still for a portrait. There are however numerous extant later examples of his image, executed in the Nineteenth Century and usually in Delhi style, showing him in similar posture to the present painting, although generally depicting him more idealized, and somewhat younger. For one example (also in the Sackler Gallery Collection) see below S1986.439 where he is depicted seated in lavish surroundings and dressed in a gold-threaded tunic.
A highly relatable contemporary portrait, probably by the same hand, is in the Freer Gallery of Art and Sackler Gallery in the Smithsonian Institution Washington DC see: F1907.256
For a later portrait (ca. 1900 likely produced at Delhi) also in the Sackler Gallery collection see: S1986.439
Also: Sotheby's Catalogue: Oriental Manuscripts and Miniatures, London October 10, 1988 Lot58 (unillustrated)
Purchased by the present owner from a private New York collection 1978
Bibliography:
Fraser, James "The History of Nadir Shah formerly called Thamas Kuli Khan" London / Oxford University 1742
Fraser, James (reprinted as above) 1973
Humphreys, E. "The Royal Road" Scorpion Publishing 1991
Lockhart, L. "Nadir Shah" (A critical study based mainly upon contemporary sources)
Al-Irfan Historical Reprints 1976
Malcolm, John "The History of Persia: From the Most Early Period to the Present Time"
Harvard University 1829
Morgan, D. "Medieval Persia (1040-1797) A History of the Near East" Longman 1994
Axworthy, Michael "The Sword of Persia: Nadir Shah, From Tribal Warrior to Conquering Tyrant"
Indiana University Press 2007 Vol 61 Number 4 pages 748-749
private collection
Certified Art Appraisal Fine original antique artworks art conservation archival framing