Location: Collection of Maryam Javaheri, New York
Mount: gold decorated cream colored mount 35.9 x 23.5 cm; blue-green collar.
Written surface: 23.3 x 15.2 cm.
Painting: 20.0 x 15.2 cm.
Text references: J.K., p.397 lines 5 to 8.

Date of this event: late March 917/1511.
It is the beginning of spring, and Esmāʿil's chief minister adds to the festivities of Nowruz by presenting the shah with a lavish gift of all kinds of valuables -- semi-precious and precious stones, spices, sweets, silks, cloths and other goods -- transported from the four corners of the realm on horseback, camel, and donkey. Yār Moḥammad Ḵuzāni stands on the left near the center of the painting, with his hands in supplication in the direction of Esmāʿil who is seated, in white ceremonial clothing, on an elevated throne before him. The setting is an encampment near Herat rendered simply as a grouping of multi-colored tents. Twelve qezelbāš emirs are scattered about the foreground, observing or conversing. A ceremonial swordbearer stands behind Esmāʿil on the right, and a groom stands in the lower left foreground.

There is one line of calligraphy above and one line below the painting. A small inscription in red above and slightly to the left of the minister's head identifies him and the event; there is another inscription on the left leg of the shah identifies him as šāh esmāʿil. A notation on the back of the painting gives the name of Reza Khan Monif, a former owner. The painting is not signed or dated.

Painting references:
Sothebys New York, 21 May 1981, Lot 102

Robert Eng
Last Updated: September 25, 2012 | Originally published: September 25, 2012