Double Finispiece Depicting a Princely Banquet
Double Finispiece Depicting a Princely Banquet
From a manuscript of the Divan of Sultan Ibrahim Mirza (pen-named Jahi)
Iran, Qazvin, 1582–1583
Opaque watercolour, gold, and ink on paper
AKM282.86, AKM282.87
Many illustrated manuscripts are deluxe productions made by teams of artists using costly materials, such as gold, lapis, and fine paper. Unsurprisingly, such volumes were made for wealthy patrons, including rulers. Frontis- or finispieces — the pictures that occur at the beginning or end of manuscripts, respectively — often depict courtly pastimes that reflect high-ranking patronage. In the double finispiece of the Aga Khan Museum’s Divan of Sultan Ibrahim Mirza, a prince is enthroned in a pavilion on the right, surrounded by attendants and musicians. On the left, servants and courtiers gather around a setar player perched in a tree — probably a singer of love lyrics, such as those contained in the manuscript.