AN INDIAN MINIATURE PAINTING OF MUMTAZ MAHAL India, 19^th century. Gouache and gold on paper. The empress consort Mumtaz Mahal wearing long yellow robes, a headdress, and earrings. With blue margin.

Provenance: Collection of Sigfred Taubert, thence by descent. Sigfred Taubert (1914-2008) was the director of the Frankfurt Book Fair between 1958 and 1973, and also a writer and enthusiastic collector of bibliophilic treasures from all over the world. From 1974 to 1978, he was a member of the board of the UNESCO International Book Committee in Paris.
Condition: Good condition with minor wear, soiling, stains and losses to edges, very few microscopic touchups.

Dimensions: Sheet size 22.5 x 29.2 cm

Mumtaz Mahal (1593-1631) was the empress consort of the Mughal Empire from 19 January 1628 to 17 June 1631. The Taj Mahal in Agra, often cited as one of the Wonders of the World, was commissioned by Shah Jahan as her tomb. Mumtaz Mahal was born Arjumand Banu Begum in Agra to a family of Persian nobility. She was the daughter of Abu’l-Hasan Asaf Khan, a wealthy Persian who held high office in the Mughal Empire. At the age of 19 she married Prince Khurram, later known by his regnal name Shah Jahan, who conferred upon her the title Mumtaz Mahal (Persian: ‘the exalted one of the palace’).

Auction result comparison: Compare another portrait of Mumtaz Mahal at Christie’s London in Talisman on 5 November 2014, lot 231, sold for GBP 3,500 (for a pair).