Collections: Arts of the Islamic World: Mirror Case with Portrait of the Eunuch Manuchihr Khan Mu`tamid al-Dawla

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Mirror Case with Portrait of the Eunuch Manuchihr Khan Mu`tamid al-Dawla

This lacquer mirror case was made under the patronage of the Georgian eunuch Manuchihr Khan, known as Mu?tamid al-Dawla, who served as viceroy of the provinces of Kirmanshah, Luristan, and Khuzistan, and later as governor of Isfahan under Muhammad Shah Qajar (r. 1834–1848). In the 1840s, Mu?tamid al-Dawla was considered one of the most powerful men in Iran. He had at his disposal an elaborate court administration with all its accoutrements, including the services of fine artists. Muhammad Isma?il, considered the greatest lacquer painter of his generation, probably produced this mirror case early in his career, before he was nominated naqq?shb?sh?, or painter laureate.


• Attributed To: Muhammad Isma`il Isfahani, active 1847–1871
• Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, metallic pigment, and gold on papier mâché under lacquered varnish
• Place Made: Isfahan, Iran
• Dates: 1847
• Dynasty: Qajar
• Period: Qajar
• Dimensions: 9 x 5 1/2 in. (22.9 x 14 cm)
• Collections: Arts of the Islamic World
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd Floor
• Accession Number: 71.49.2
• Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles K. Wilkinson
• Image: Overall, 71.49.2_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Muhammad Isma`il Isfahani (active 1847–1871). Mirror Case with Portrait of the Eunuch Manuchihr Khan Mu`tamid al-Dawla, 1847. Ink, opaque watercolor, metallic pigment, and gold on papier mâché under lacquered varnish, 9 x 5 1/2 in. (22.9 x 14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles K. Wilkinson, 71.49.2 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 71.49.2_SL1.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: This lacquer mirror case was made under the patronage of the Georgian eunuch Manuchihr Khan, known as Mu`tamid al-Dawla, who served as viceroy of the provinces of Kirmanshah, Luristan, and Khuzistan, and later as governor of Isfahan under Muhammad Shah Qajar (r. 1834–1848). In the 1840s, Mu`tamid al-Dawla was considered one of the most powerful men in Iran. He had at his disposal an elaborate court administration with all its accoutrements, including the services of fine artists. Muhammad Isma`il, considered the greatest lacquer painter of his generation, probably produced this mirror case early in his career, before he was nominated naqqashbash, or painter laureate. Islamic Galleries, June 2009 Ladan Akbarnia