FEAST HELD BY SHAH ABBAS IN HONOUR OF VALI MUHAMMAD KHAN GOVERNOR OF BUKHARA

Project Details

FEAST HELD BY SHAH ABBAS IN HONOUR OF VALI MUHAMMAD KHAN GOVERNOR OF BUKHARA

Zand Persia

Second half of the 18^th Century

Circle of Zand court artist Abu’l Hasan Ghaffari Mustawfi Kashani (d. 1798, active between 1781-1794).

Dimensions: 22 x 37 cm (unframed), 36 x 49.5 cm (framed).

Gouache and gold on paper. The present painting is an exceptionally fine reinterpretation of a famous and well-documented mural (wall painting) -measuring 5.7 meters by 2.2 meters- in the Safavid Chehel Sutoun Palace in Isfahan, painted in c. 1647. The Chehel Sutoun Palace murals are vibrant, historical records, diplomatic tools and artistic masterpieces, depicting key events like royal receptions and battles. The present composition depicts the royal feast held by the Safavid ruler Shah Abbas in honour of the Uzbek Vali Muhammad Khan, the governor of Bukhara.

The reception which took place during Vali Muhammad Khan’s visit to Isfahan represents the close relation between these two powerful leaders. The two dignitaries are shown in conversation, surrounded by courtiers, servants, musicians and dancers. The rich details, including the vibrant colours of the costumes and the facial expressions of every single individual have been masterfully and meticulously painted.

For a detailed illustration of the centre of the mural in the Chehel Sutoun Palace, please see the exhibition catalogue Shah Abbas – The Remaking of Iran, British Museum, authored by Sheila R. Canby, catalogue of the exhibition held between 19 February – 14 June 2009, British Museum Press, London, 2009, p. 25.

The portrait of Mirza Jahanshah Qaraqoyunlu by the Zand court artist Abu’l Hasan Ghaffari Mustawfi Kashani (d. 1798, active between 1780-1794), in the Louvre Museum (inv. no. MAO 599), Paris, supports our attribution to his circle. Please see the link, https://collections.louvre.fr/ark:/53355/cl010321252 In this portrait, the execution of Mirza Jahanshah’s turban and kaftan is strikingly similar to the turban and kaftan of Shah Abbas in the present painting.

In addition, a painting with a similar subject to ours –Shah Abbas II Receiving a Mughal ambassador– attributed to Abu’l Hasan Ghaffari supports our attribution as well. The quality is similar, and it is almost the same size as ours; 24.5 x 33.5 cm. Please see the exhibition catalogue, Royal Persian Paintings – The Qajar Epoch 1785-1925, Edited by Layla S. Diba and Maryam Ekhtiar, I. B. Tauris Publishers in Association with Brooklyn Museum of Art, New York, 1998, pp. 148-149. Abu’l Hasan Ghaffari was celebrated for painting historical personalities and events.

Vali Muhammad Khan (Khan of the Uzbek Khanate, d. 1611)

Vali Muhammad Khan was the son of Jani Bek was a leader of the Ashtarkahnid (Toqay-Timurid, Janid) dynasty in the Khanate of Bukhara from 1605–1611 AD. He became leader after the death of his brother, Baqi Muhammad Khan, but was opposed by Imam Quli Khan.

In the struggle for power, the political elite of Bukhara supported Wali Mohammad, an older member of the Toqay-Timurid family, who was the governor in Balkh and Badakhshan. Vali Muhammad Khan was not the primary choice to become leader and Imam Quli Khan enlisted support of many people, especially merchants and landlords. Upon hearing of a well organised assassination attempt, Vali Muhammad Khan fled the area and headed to the palace of Shah Abbas I to try and garner support. Abbas obliged the Khan, and gave him an army and sent him back to Bukhara, but the attempting at crushing the insurgency failed and Vali Muhammad Khan died in 1611. He was succeeded by Imam Quli Khan.

Provenance

Private French Collection. Bought in Paris in 1960s, thence by descent.

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Margaret Erskine for writing this article on the present miniature painting and Dr Julian Raby for proof-reading and sharing his thoughts.

Categories: Calligraphy & Miniatures

Cookie	Duration	Description
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

FEAST HELD BY SHAH ABBAS IN HONOUR OF VALI MUHAMMAD KHAN GOVERNOR OF BUKHARA

Enquiries