A DEVOTIONAL MINIATURE OF 'ALI, HUSSEYN AND HASAN
Qajar Iran, late 19th century

Opaque pigments, ink and pencil on paper, the oval miniature depicting the first Shi'a Imam, 'Ali, flanked by his two sons, Husseyn and Hasan, clenching the famous sword Zulfiqar on his knees, each character depicted with a sun-like halo behind their heads, the composition glazed and encased within a silver frame set with coloured glass and turquoise beads, 5.2cm x 4.5cm excluding the frame.