Portrait of the Abbasid Caliph Abu Ja'far al-Mansur
Manuscript illumination, portrait miniature on paper • Anonymous artist, likely within a workshop associated with Ottoman or Safavid-style historical genealogies
Style & Movement
Islamic Manuscript Painting / Post-Classical Persianate Style
Medium & Technique
Opaque pigments (gouache) with gold leaf (leaf/powder) on hand-laid paper using fine brushwork and calligraphy
Creation Period
Late 18th to mid-19th Century (likely Ottoman or late Persian influence)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 15 x 10 cm; Miniature format within a rectangular page layout
Subject Description
A seated depiction of the second Abbasid Caliph, Al-Mansur, identified by the Arabic inscription 'Abu Ja'far Mansur al-Dawaneeqi'. He is shown in a tondo (circular frame), wearing a large dark turban and a black robe decorated with gold floral or flame motifs, leaning against a red bolster cushion.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows visible signs of aging including foxing, toning of the paper, and pigment loss
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$2,000 - $4,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely detached from a 'Tarikh' (History) or 'Silsilanama' (Genealogical manuscript) from a private collection; includes Arabic/Persian identification script in the upper left
Art Historical Significance
Represents the ongoing tradition of depicting early Islamic leaders in later centuries, serving as a historical record and a tool for dynastic legitimacy in manuscript form.
Notable Features
Distinctive tondo framing, the use of 'al-Mansur's' specific epithet in the calligraphy, and the characteristic cross-legged 'enthroned' pose typical of Islamic royal portraiture.
Condition Issues
Prominent foxing (brown spots) throughout the paper support; some flaking of pigments in the robe and beard; paper yellowing and edge wear
Conservation Recommendations
Professional deacidification and cleaning by a paper conservator; UV-filtered glass for framing; climate-controlled storage to prevent further foxing