A QAJAR PORTRAIT OF THE MYTHICAL KING KAY KAVUS
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Qajar Iran, 19th century

Opaque pigments, ink and pencil on paper, the vertical portrait depicting the mythical king Kay Kavus knelt on a red and yellow floorspread, wearing the Persian Royal Crown studded with pearls, rubies, diamonds and emeralds, and matching cuffs and belt, his pesh kabz dagger and curved shamshir sword also encrusted with precious gems, in front of him a plain black shield, possibly an allusion to his military prowess and success, to the left a cusped red cartouche identifying the subject in blue ink, mounted, glazed and framed, 33cm x 29cm including the frame.