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Notes on Badi’ Uzman Mirza

Badi’ Uzman Mirza was the last Timurid prince of Herat. He was also ruler of Astrakhan and several lesser Northern Afghan cities. He was driven out by the Uzbeks and was forced to seek refuge with Ismail Safavi in Tabriz. Badi’ Uzman Mirza found life intolerable under the Safavi and left Tabriz for Istanbul when the city was captured by the Ottomans. Badi’ Uzman Mirza was able to arrive in Istanbul with much of his court (and treasure) intact. Rather than as a prisoner, he enjoyed the hospitality of the Sunni Ottoman until his death. The impact of this transfusion of Timurid court on the art and artistic expression of Ottoman art was profound.
A curved agate cup that is believed to be from the treasure of Badi’ Uzman Mirza is shown in Art of the Persian Court plate32. I believe that some of the Topkapi prayer rugs are from the treasure as well. I suspect this by analyzing the style of the art versus the provenance. Although it is simple speculation on my part I suspect that much of the treasure was disbursed in the late 19th century. There is evidence to suggest that pieces from the Imperial treasury were deaccessioned when the Turks were paying off war debts. This is about the same time that the Chelsea Carpet surfaced in London with no provenance. I suspect that the Chelsea is part of the same treasure horde.

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.