ATTRIBUTABLE TO SEBUH MANAS, ISTANBUL, DATED AH 1271/1854-55 AD

Details

A MINIATURE PORTRAIT OF ABDÜLMECID I
ATTRIBUTABLE TO SEBUH MANAS, ISTANBUL, DATED AH 1271/1854-55 AD
Gouache heightened with gold on an oval ivory disk, the Sultan depicted wearing embroidered robes and red tarboosh with plume, remains of signature in black naskh to right of portrait, and date on left, reverse backed with blue velvet, within gilt floral frame, area of rubbing around edges
2 3/8in. (6cm.) at largest

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

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Lot Essay

A nearly identical portrait is in the Khalili Collection (J.M.Rogers, Empire of the Sultans. Ottoman Art from the Collection of Nasser D. Khalili, London, 1995, no.171, pp.246-47). The Khalili portrait is dated the same year as ours and signed by a Sebuh Manas. The beginning of the same name is visible on our portrait. Stephen Vernoit has identified Sebuh Manas (1816-89) as one of two Armenian brothers sent by Mahmud II to Paris for training. In 1858 he was working in the Ottoman embassy in Turin, where he remained for nearly 30 years (Rogers, op.cit., p.247). A portrait of Sultan Murad V by Sebuh Manas' brother Joseph Manas (1835-1916), sold at Sotheby's, London, 24 October 2007, lot 291.

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