AN OFFICIAL QAJAR FIRMAN
Qajar Iran, dated Ramadan 1304 AH (May - June 1887 AD)

Persian manuscript on paper, the 10 spaced lines of nasta’liq script in black ink against a plain ground, set within concentric blue, green, gold, and black rules, the start of the document stamped with the official imperial seal of the Qajar Crown Prince, Muzaffar al-Din Shah (r. 1896 - 1907) in nasta’liq script on the right margin, contained in polychrome and gold-painted radiating shams medallion, the top of the page and the left margin embellished with two gold and polychrome illuminations, a diagonal boteh (paisley) leaf containing indistinct text reserved against gold cloud-bands with polychrome flower sprays, and a hoopoe bird with distinctive crest and long tail containing the signature in gold of the overseeing official, the official document bestowing the title of Third Degree Sartip (brigadier) and the overall charge of the Azeri Amiriyeh Army to Lotf 'Ali Khan, the then-Colonel of the Amiriyeh Army, dated Ramadan 1304 AH (May - June 1887 AD), laid on pale pink paper, glazed and framed, the document 44.5cm x 30.3cm, 51cm x 38cm including the frame.

Provenance: Dreweatts, UK, 22 May 2018, lot 389.