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Firman of Muhammad Shah Qajar

dated 1250 AH/1835 CE
Not on view
In addition to being a historic document with an important message, firmans, or royal edicts, like this one are also stunning works of art in their own right. This edict contains eight lines of text—all crowned by the seal of Muhammad Shah Qajar (third ruler of the Qajar dynasty, r. 1834–48). It is a response to a letter addressed to Mirza Husain Khan, the governor of Na’in (region in central Iran). An interesting feature of the text is that the words at the end of each line are stacked. Although this may have been due to a lack of space, it was more likely an aesthetic choice made by the calligrapher.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Firman of Muhammad Shah Qajar
  • Date: dated 1250 AH/1835 CE
  • Geography: Made in Iran
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: H. 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm)
    W. 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Gift of Layla S. Diba, in memory of Mahmood T. Diba, 2013
  • Object Number: 2013.243
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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Qur'an Manuscript, Ink, opaque watercolor, and 13.228.24<br/>gold on paper; leather binding
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Nasir Al-Din Shah Qajar (r. 1848–1896) with a Cannon, Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
Nasir Al-Din Shah Qajar (r. 1848–1896) with a Cannon
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Portrait of Prince Nasir al-Din Mirza
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Pen Box (Qalamdan) Depicting Shah Isma'il in a Battle against the Uzbeks, Papier-maché; painted and lacquered
Pen Box (Qalamdan) Depicting Shah Isma'il in a Battle against the Uzbeks
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Eight Men in Indian and Burmese Costume, Ghulam ‘Ali Khan, Main support: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper<br/>Margins: Gold on dyed paper
Eight Men in Indian and Burmese Costume
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