PROVINCIAL MUGHAL, POSSIBLY MURSHIDABAD, CIRCA 1750

This depiction of the Emperor Shah Jahan (r.1628-58) relate relate very closely to a painting from the Late Shah Jahan Album in which the Emperor is receiving Prince Dara Shikoh, now in the Los Angeles County Museum (M.83.105.21). The appearance and pose of the Emperor himself and the form of the chair – with arm-rests terminating in lions’ heads, a small platform beneath the feel and cusping along the top of the back - are almost identical to that in the Late Shah Jahan Album painting. It is uncommon to find depictions of the Mughal emperors sat in chairs and most portraits instead show them kneeling on their throne in the traditional manner. Yet in addition to the present lot and that in the Los Angeles County Museum another painting of Shah Jahan seated, this time holding a falcon, is in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (PD.92-1948).

The painting gives close attention to the garments being worn, although curiously the jama of Shah Jahan himself has been left plain along with that of the courtier on the far right. Otherwise each jama is unique in its design. Some appear to be a silk ground decorated with metal threads whilst others are of an entirely gold ground. For a Mughal silk and gold thread brocade robe please see lot 66.