Description:

A VERY RARE & FINE PORTRAIT OF ARDASHIR MIRZA
Qajar Iran, circa 1860
Possibly by Abu’l Hassan Ghaffari (Sani al-Mulk)

Description:
A striking and finely rendered gouache on paper portrait of Ardashir Mirza Qajar (1805–1866), prince and governor of Fars and Gilan, and the fifteenth son of Fath Ali Shah Qajar. This full-length portrait is richly executed in vibrant colors, showing the prince in an elaborate red robe with repeating floral medallions and heavy jeweled ornamentation, a green inner robe with a richly adorned chest sash, and wearing the ceremonial Qajar kulah (tall black felt hat).

The detail in the textiles, regalia, and lifelike execution of the figure suggests attribution to the circle of, or possibly the hand of, Abu’l Hassan Ghaffari, known as Sani al-Mulk, who served as court painter and director of the Royal Atelier under Nasir al-Din Shah. The figure’s proportions and facial stylization, as well as the meticulous detail in jewelry and robe patterns, align closely with authenticated works of Ghaffari.

This piece serves as a rare record of a key Qajar political figure and demonstrates the heightened realism and aesthetic sophistication of mid-19th century Persian court portraiture.

Dimensions:
Length: 36 cm
Width: 22 cm

Comparable Examples:

  • A portrait of Prince Bahman Mirza by Sani al-Mulk, in the collection of the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art.

  • A related full-length portrait of Fath Ali Shah held at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

  • Miniature gouache portraits by Ghaffari auctioned at Sotheby’s Arts of the Islamic World, April 2019, fetched over £50,000.

Note:
Works of this quality and attribution rarely appear on the market. It is an exceptional opportunity for collectors of Qajar art, royal portraiture, or those interested in the Persian artistic tradition of the 19th century.

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

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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