Description:

: A PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG AHMAD SHAH, DATED 1302 AH / 1884-85 AD
Qajar Iran, late 19th century

Description:
Watercolour and gouache on paper, portraying a youthful Ahmad Shah Qajar in regal attire, finely dressed in an elaborately patterned coat and adorned with decorations indicative of his princely status. The young shah is shown with a composed expression and slightly idealized features, a stylistic hallmark of Qajar portraiture, which often emphasized courtly elegance over realism.

Dated 1302 AH (1884–85 AD), the work is likely contemporary with Ahmad Shah’s early life, prior to his eventual coronation in 1909. The portrait reflects the Qajar court’s deep engagement with the visual arts, particularly portraiture as a tool of royal image-making. The painter remains anonymous, but the style is consistent with court ateliers working in Tehran and Isfahan during the later Qajar period.

Dimensions: 13cm x 10.5cm

Provenance: Ex Khayami Collection

Comparable examples:

  • A portrait of Ahmad Shah Qajar in a similar style, dated to his youth, sold at Bonhams, London, Islamic and Indian Art, 11 June 2018, Lot 138, for £8,750.

  • A Qajar miniature portrait of a royal figure in court dress, late 19th century, sold at Sotheby’s, London, Arts of the Islamic World, 27 April 2022, Lot 79, for £7,020.

  • A larger-format portrait of a Qajar prince wearing decorations, attributed to the court of Nasir al-Din Shah, sold at Christie’s, London, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 25 October 2018, Lot 123, for £9,375.

Note:
Ahmad Shah Qajar (1898–1930), the last ruling monarch of the Qajar dynasty, remains a symbol of the twilight of the Persian monarchy before the rise of the Pahlavis. Artistic depictions of him as a youth are particularly rare, offering insights into how royal image and legacy were carefully crafted even from an early age. This portrait stands out for its historical context and refined aesthetic typical of high Qajar court painting.

 

Accepted Forms of Payment:

MasterCard, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We have our own specialist packing and international shipping service and are happy to arrange this for you, we will add a postage and packing quote to your sales invoice. We also offer a door to door courier service to take the stress out of receiving delicate or expensive items.

If you are arranging your own professional delivery, please ensure that the lot has been paid for and the transport company has full details of the items being collected and an appointment has been booked. We work strictly on an appointment basis for dispatching goods.

If you choose to use our services we will ensure goods that have left the auction premises are in perfect condition, by choosing our in house professional packaging services you agree to our terms and conditions and do not hold us accountable for any damages or loss of items in transit. You will be provided with a tracking number and all our packages sent out will require a signature upon delivery. We do not insure goods dispatched unless asked to do so, which will incur additional charges added to your invoice upon request.

We thank you for using our specialist packing & shipping service and hope to continue to do business with you in the near future.

May 6, 2025 1:00 PM BST
London, United Kingdom

PLAKAS

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 29% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
£0 £99 £5
£100 £199 £10
£200 £499 £20
£500 £999 £50
£1,000 £1,999 £100
£2,000 £4,999 £200
£5,000 £9,999 £500
£10,000 £19,999 £1,000
£20,000 £49,999 £2,000
£50,000 £99,999 £5,000
£100,000 £199,999 £10,000
£200,000 £499,999 £20,000
£500,000 £999,999 £50,000
£1,000,000 + £100,000