Two-page illustration of a court scene. On the right, a man and woman sit on a throne, flanked by four companions on two smaller thrones. The left page shows five seated courtiers, with three servants holding dishes. Courtiers crowd the margins, with caption boxes at the top and bottom.
AKM280.49, Folios 204v-205r: Enthronement Scene with Shah Rahmin and Mah-Pervin

© The Aga Khan Museum

Click on the image to zoom

Enthronement Scene with Shah Rahmin and Mah-Pervin
Folio from the manuscript of Tuhfet ul-Leta'if (Curious and Witty Gifts)
  • Accession Number:AKM280.49
  • Creator:‘Ali b. Naqib Hamza
  • Place:Turkey
  • Dimensions:35 x 21 cm (each page)
  • Date:1002 AH / 1593–1594
  • Materials and Technique:opaque watercolour, ink, and gold on paper

This double-page enthronement scene comes from a unique manuscript created for the bibliophile Ottoman Sultan Murad III (r. 1574–95). It depicts the moment of euphoric reunion between the hero and heroine of the adventure, Shah Rahmin and Mah-Pervin, on the island of Khurremabad. Here, the lovers sit on magnificent thrones as their courtiers gesture in astonishment at the marvellous scene. The eight lines of text describe how soldiers came and set up tents for the event, before hundreds of men came to feast and celebrate.

To view other paintings from the manuscript of Tuhfet ul-Leta'if (Curious and Witty Gifts) see, AKM280.4, AKM280.40, AKM280.49


References 
Graves, Margaret S. and Benoît Junod, eds. Architecture in Islamic Arts: Treasures of the Aga Khan Museum. Geneva: Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2011, 196–97. ISBN: 9780987846303

Note: This online resource is reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis. We are committed to improving this information and will revise and update knowledge about this object as it becomes available.

news_icon

Get connected. Stay engaged. Sign up for the latest updates from the Aga Khan Museum