A FIRMAN OF NASIR AL-DIN SHAH APPOINTING REZA KHAN AS THE PERSIAN ENVOY TO RUSSIA

QAJAR IRAN, DATED RAMADAN AH 1312/FEBRUARY-MARCH 1895 AD

Details

A FIRMAN OF NASIR AL-DIN SHAH APPOINTING REZA KHAN AS THE PERSIAN ENVOY TO RUSSIA
QAJAR IRAN, DATED RAMADAN AH 1312/FEBRUARY-MARCH 1895 AD
Persian manuscript on paper, 7ll. of elegant black nasta'liq script curving upwards within cloudbands on gold illuminated ground, arranged between panels of gold and polychrome floral meander bordered with illuminated lines, the headpiece with the Shah's seal impression within an illuminated shamsa, between thick gold frame and floral scroll margins
13 x 18¾in. (33 x 47.5cm.) visible

Lot Essay

Mirza Reza Khan 'Arfa al-Dawla (1846-1939) received the title of janab ("Excellency") from Nasir al-Din Shah in 1895 when he was appointed Persian Minister Plenipotentiary to Russia (1894-1901). The Shah personally signed the document which also bears his seal. Originally from Tabriz, Mirza Reza Khan studied in Constantinople and in Tiflis where he learnt French, English and Russian. He had a successful official carreer and was later appointed the Iranian representative in Constantinople and to the League of Nations after the first World War.

An album containing the correspondence relating to Mirza Reza Khan's early carreer, circa 1883-1885 will be offered as part of The Saeed Motamed Collection - Part I sale at Christie's South Kensington, 22 April 2013, lot 231.

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