Friday 1 May 2026

Lot 163

A seated portrait of high ranking Qajar noble or official : Motamed ad-Dawla or that of Husayn...

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Lot 163

A seated portrait of high ranking Qajar noble or official : Motamed ad-Dawla or that of Husayn...

Price Realised: £2,624

Estimate: £2,000 - £3,000

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Price realised is hammer price plus fees (31.2% Buyers Premium inclusive of VAT).

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Lot 163

Description

A seated portrait of high ranking Qajar noble or official : Motamed ad-Dawla or that of Husayn 'Ali Khan Mu'ayyir al-Mamalik, 
Follower of Abu al Hassan Ghaffari, Qajar Iran, circa 1855, 

Gouache on paper,  seating on an ikat patterned coverlet, wearing a Kirman embroidered coat adorned with diamond and emerald inset broches, a light blue tunic beneath, a large pendant with the portrait of the emperor around his neck, a kard tucked in his sash, 

24.4 x 17cm.

A very similar portrait of Motamad al-Dawla sold at Christie's London, 8 April 2008, lot 228. Both our sitter and Christie's wear the same garment : the Kirman embroidered coat with botehs, the light blue tunic and have the same shagreen hilted dagger tuck in their belt. The carpet or coverlet appears to be the same, its pattern recalling the ikat works of central Asia. A third comparable  portrait of al-Dawla sold at Christie's London, 31 March 2009, lot 208. Although also sat, his pose differs slightly and he wears a different garb, a dagger tucked in his sash. However, the composition remains the same. In those three instances, the background is spartan : either left plain or consisting of hints of wall mouldings. However, the al-Dawla and our sitter's traits differ. Motamed ad-Dawla appears stockier and more mature. Perhaps our lot depicts him younger although a standing portrait of Husayn 'Ali Khan Mu'ayyir al-Mamalik holding the first volume of the famous Thousand and one Nights, attributed to Abu al Hassan Ghaffari, would strongly suggest it is him our sitter, rather than the former. Moreover, Christie's notes the existence of two more seated portraits of Husayn Ali Khan Muayyir al-Mamalik citing Yahya Zoka, Life and Works of Sani' ol-Molk, Tehran, 2003, p.32. Taking into account the somewhat formulaic lay out of Ghaffari's portraits, it is likely our lot is a study by an artist in the workshop or a follower of Abu al Hassan Ghaffari.

Buyer's Premium

The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 26% up to £20,000 (31.2% inclusive of VAT), 25% from £20,001 - £500,000 (30% inclusive of VAT), 20% from £500,001 thereafter (24% inclusive of VAT). The premium price is subject to VAT at the standard rate.

VAT
VAT is not charged on the hammer price unless it is stated that there is 'VAT applicable on the hammer price at the end of the description. Buyer's premium is subject to VAT.
(ARR) - ARTIST'S RESALE RIGHT

Qualifying living artists and the descendants of artists deceased within the last 70 years are entitled to receive a re-sale royalty each time their work is bought through an auction house or art market professional.

It applies to lots with hammer value over £1,000 as follows:
0 to £50,000 - 4%
£50,000.01 to £200,000 - 3%
£200,000.01 to £350,000 - 1%
£350,000.01 to £500,000 - 0.5%
Exceeding £500,000 - 0.25%
ARR is capped at £12,500

Please note ARR is calculated in euros. Auctioneers will apply current exchange rates.

Export of goods

Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain whether an export licence is required before bidding. Export licences are issued by Arts Council England and application forms can be obtained from its Export Licensing Unit. Details can be found on the ACE website www.artscouncil.org.uk or by phoning ACE on 020 7973 5188. The need for import licences varies from country to country and you should acquaint yourself with all relevant local requirements and provisions before bidding. The refusal of any such licences shall not permit the cancelling of any sale nor allow any delay in making full payment for the lot.

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