AN OFFICIAL QAJAR FIRMAN
Qajar Iran, dated Safar 1277 AH (August 1860 AD)

Persian manuscript on paper, the 5 spaced lines of diwani script in black ink reserved against gold cloud-bands, set within concentric blue, gold, black, and red rules, at the top the official imperial seal of the Qajar ruler, Nasir al-Din Shah (r. 1848 - 1896), contained in a gold and polychrome illuminated vegetal medallion, an initialled illuminated boteh (paisley leaf) on the top left margin, the official firman document commending Muhammad Mahdi Mirza’s religious scholarship, and allocating 'the sum of 500 toomans of income to support to him', dated Safar 1277 AH (August 1860 AD), laid on pale pink paper, glazed and framed, the document 41.5cm x 33.3cm, 46.5cm x 38.5cm including the frame.

Provenance: Dreweatts, UK, 22 May 2018, lot 390.