Two women carrying a tea service

Object Details

• Label

  This tinted drawing is another manifestation of Timurid fascination with China. Whether the artist drew the composition from memory or based it on an actual model, he must have been unfamiliar with his subject matter. He has reduced the folds of the women's garments and their hair ornaments into decorative patterns, while the teapot has been converted into a two-dimensional motif. Such Timurid compositions were clearly valued for their depiction of the "other" rather than as an authentic representation of Chinese women and their accoutrements.

• Provenance

  By at least 1912-1913

  Charles Vignier (1863-1934), method of acquisition unknown [1]

  By 1913-?

  Mme. Blair, method of acquisition unknown [2]

  About 1913-1938 

  The object’s ownership and whereabouts are unknown

  ?-at least 1938

  Kirkor Minassian (1874-1944), method of acquisition unknown [3]

  From 1938

  The Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Kirkor Minassian, New York [4]

  Notes:

  [1] See F.R. Martin, “The Miniature Painting and Painters of Persia, India, and Turkey from the 8th to the 18th Century [book] (London: Bernard Quaritch, Sr., 1912), vol. 2, p. 2, pl. 33.

  [2] See G. Marteau and H. Vever, “Miniatures Persanes: tirées des collections de MM. Henry d’Allemagne, Claude Anet, Henri Aubry…et Exposées au Musée des Décoratifs, Juin-Octobre 1912” [book] (Paris: Bibliothèque d’art et d’archéologie, 1913), pl. L. The collector is identified as “Mme. Blair” only, with no other biographical information. It is possible Mme. Blair acquired the object directly from Charles Vignier, or through a sale at Hôtel Drouot.

  [3] See May 3, 1938 Freer Gallery of Art letter acknowledging loan of objects from Kirkor Minassian for examination, including F1938.14, in object file. . Kirkor Minassian was a collector and dealer in Islamic and Near Eastern antiquities, with galleries in New York and Paris.

  [4] See object file for copy of Kirkor Minassian invoice to Freer Gallery of Art, dated June 21, 1938, and marked approved on June 20, 1938.

  Research updated February 8, 2023

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Engaging the Senses (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)

  In the Realm of Princes: The Arts of the Book in Fifteenth Century Iran and Central Asia (March 19 to August 7, 2005)

  Arts of the Islamic World (May 3, 1998 to January 3, 2016)

  From the Hand of Mani (January 18, 1985 to July 5, 1985)

  The Brush of the Masters: Drawings from Iran (October 14, 1978 to May 30, 1979)

  Ceramics from the World of Islam (January 16, 1974 to July 1, 1974)

  Near Eastern Art—Paintings, Metalwork (August 18, 1967 to February 10, 1972)

  Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Manuscripts (May 1, 1945 to September 25, 1947)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Charles Vignier (1863-1934)

  Mme. Blair

  Kirkor Minassian (1874-1944)

• Origin

  Historic Iran, present-day Afghanistan

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Painting

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1500s, 1400s

• Name

  Blair, Vignier, Charles, Minassian, Kirkor

• Place

  Afghanistan

• Topic

  Chinoiserie, Tea, Art, Timurid period (1378 - 1506), Arts of the Islamic World, Woman

• Culture

  Muslims, Iranians

• Object Type

  Paintings