Long, rectangular page with 29 lines of black text bordered in thin gold lines. It is set beneath a large abstract illustration, which consists of a blue, three-sided border with gold medallions. A large, swirling blue-and-gold half-medallion points up to a blue shape, laid over a gold floral pattern.
AKM251, A Letter by ‘Abbas Mirza to Napoleon I

© The Aga Khan Museum

Detail of an inscription on the reverse of a letter, written in brown ink on beige paper. Inscription reads “Lettre arriveé a Paris le 17 février 1809.”
AKM251, A Letter by ‘Abbas Mirza to Napoleon I, Detail

© The Aga Khan Museum

Detail of a black ink seal stamped on the reverse of a letter written on beige paper. Seal is a small square filled with decorative calligraphy and swirling vine patterns.
AKM251, A Letter by ‘Abbas Mirza to Napoleon I, Detail

© The Aga Khan Museum

Detail of an inscription on the reverse of a letter, written in brown ink on beige paper. Inscription reads “Lettre du Prince Abbas Mirza à S.M. Impériale, écrite à la fin de l’année 1808. Et arrive à Paris le 17 février 1809.” There is a swirl below the inscription.
AKM251, A Letter by ‘Abbas Mirza to Napoleon I, Detail

© The Aga Khan Museum

Long, rectangular beige page. The text and illustration from the reverse side are visible. There are two small inscriptions (one on the upper left side, and one in the upper middle of the page) and a seal design stamped in the bottom right.
AKM251, A Letter by ‘Abbas Mirza to Napoleon I, Back

© The Aga Khan Museum

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A Letter by ‘Abbas Mirza to Napoleon I
  • Accession Number:AKM251
  • Place:Iran
  • Dimensions:120 x 58 cm
  • Date:1808
  • Materials and Technique:ink, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper

  • At the time of writing this letter to Napoleon I of France, the 19-year-old crown prince ‘Abbas Mirza (1789–1833), son of Fath ‘Ali Shah, was spearheading the defence of Iran’s troops against Russia. In these conflicts, Iran had come to rely on French military technology and training. However, ‘Abbas Mirza here bemoans Napoleon’s two-year silence and inquires about the emperor’s next move as he outlines his feelings about Russia’s treachery. The imposing traditional style of the royal letter asserts Iran’s sovereignty in its communication with France.

References
Al-Khamis, Ulrike and Bita Pourvash. Transforming Traditions: The Art of 19th Century Iran. Toronto: Aga Khan Museum, 2018, 14. ISBN: 9781926473147

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.

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