An enamelled portrait medaillon, signed Ghulam Khanzadeh ‘Ali, Qajar Iran, circa 1830 (cropped)

AN ENAMELLED PORTRAIT MEDALLION
SIGNED GHULAM KHANZADEH ‘ALI, QAJAR IRAN, CIRCA 1830
Depicting Prince Muhammad 'Ali Mirza Qajar, son of Fath 'Ali Shah, with identification inscription above and signature, ghulam-i khanah-zad ’ali below, the reverse covered with turquoise enamel, the later mount with hanging loop and pin attachment
2 3/8in. (6cm.) high

Known as Dawlatshah, Prince Muhammad 'Ali Mirza Qajar was the eldest son of Fath ’Ali Shah, but on account of his mother being Georgian, his half-brother, ’Abbas Mirza, whose mother was a Qajar princess, was made heir apparent. Dawlatshah instead became governor of Fars and then Kermanshah, where he was in charge of the western frontiers and demonstrated his courage in successive battles against the Ottomans. For portraits of him, see Sotheby’s, 28th April 1993, lot 29 and Abolala Soudavar, Art of the Persian Courts, New York, 1992, no. 159. An enamelled portrait of Dawlatshah’s father, Fath ‘Ali Shah, was sold at Christie's, London, 4 October 2012, lot 157.