TWO SEATED PORTRAITS OF NADER SHAH (1688 - 1747), THE FOUNDER OF THE AFSHARID DYNASTY
Jaipur, Rajasthan, North-Western India, first half 19th century

Opaque pigments and ink heightened with gold and silver on paper, both portraits presenting an analogous vertical-format composition with Nader Shah seated on a silver throne, with a large luminous halo, about to draw his sword, in one portrait flanked by two standing attendants, in the latter surrounded by blue vessels at his feet and behind him a standing attendant holding a morchal (peacock feather whisk), each portrait set within concentric yellow and white rules, and navy blue / black and bright red borders, each portrait with an English inscription in pencil at the bottom reading 'Nadir Shah', the reverse of each with a free-flowing cursive English inscription in sepia ink reading 'A faithful portrait of Nadir Shah painted at Jaipoor, Bhurton 19 March 1829' and signed, the largest 27.4cm x 19.6cm.