Lady Holding a Golden Dish

Description

This painting of a single lady appears to be made for an album. Albums containing single figures, drawings, and calligraphies became more popular in the Ottoman court in the 17th century. Some of the figure paintings and drawings were made after Safavid examples that were brought to the Ottoman court. This figure wears a pink dress with a white veil covering her head and body. A golden sash is tied around her head holding two plumes. She carries a jeweled gold dish with her right hand as she holds her face with the other hand. Her gaze is cast outside the picture frame. The background is covered with a repeating flowering grass pattern. The inscription in a cartouche near her feet has been erroneously associated with the Ottoman artist Veli Jan. Other readings have been La’lin Qaba and Amin al-Khalafa. However none of these readings can be presently associated with a known artist.