"Emperor Muhammad Ali Shah", Awadh Kingdom Possessed, Indian Mirror Set- Calligraphy, Incised, Silver Inlaid and Stamped Note: Please read this description and study photos carefully, and ask any questions you may have before purchasing. I invite you to witness this unique Awadh (Oudh) Kingdom Possessed Masterpiece. This is a hand-made mirror set made during the emperor Muhammad Ali Shah, the king of Awadh between 1837-1842 and kept by his successor King Abu Muzaffar. The Kingdom of Awadh (Oudh) was established in 1724 in northern India (Faizabad and Lucknow). The Kings/Nawabs of Awadh belonged to a dynasty in Nishapur. Emperor Muhammad Ali Shah, the king of Awadh, India was born in 1777 with a Mid East pedigree. Muhammad Ali Shah was 63 years old when he ascended the throne and ruled the region during 1837-1842. Muhammad Ali Shah was determined to make Lucknow, the region where Awadah kingdom started, into a veritable Babylon, a memorial representing him as greatest king of Awadh. A number of Mid East/Indian sophisticated hand techniques, including Steel Metalwork, Nastaliq Calligraphy, Metal Precise Incision, Silver Koftgari/inlay, Carpentry, Wood Engraving were used for making this masterpiece. The mirror case is made of hard core Steel intricately incised in Mid East Calligraphy and profusely marked with Solid Silver using magnificent motifs. The base is made of a durable wood, carefully hand-engraved with motifs and treated with natural paint for preservation. The period of the make is documented in the front of the mirror case by incision in Mid East calligraphy as "During "Muhammad Ali Shah reign". This masterpiece was kept in the royal family of Awadh kingdom as evident by royal gold stamp of King Abu Mozaffar (the successor of Muhammad Ali Shah) on the back of the mirror case during Abu Mozaffar's reign 1842-1847 (see photo). A poem from the renowned poet Hafez (Ghazal no. 395) is delicately incised with breathtaking Nastaliq calligraphy in the front of the mirror case. The poem reads: ای روی ماه‌ منظر تو نو بهار حُسن خال و خط تو مرکز حُسن و مدار حُسن Your moon-like face is the new spring of beauty Your face details are the center of beauty and the orbit of beauty "Pictures speak louder than words for this masterpiece" Specifications: Period made: 1837-1842 during Muhammad Ali Shah reign Associated place: India Materials: Mirror case is hand-made from durable Steel (base) and profusely decorated with Solid Silver. The base is made of hard wood beautifully hand-engraved with original treatment. The 2 screws holding the mirror are made of steel. Techniques index: Steel Metalwork, Metal Precise Incision, Silver Koftgari/inlay, Carpentry, Wood Engraving- All done by hand Dimensions: Whole set: 36 cm (14 inches) tall; Base: 37 X 12 cm (14.5 X 4.7 inches); Mirror case: 30.3 X 22 cm (11.8 X 9 inches) with 2.3 cm (0.9 inch) thickness Condition: Antique condition with some wears to the surface of the case in particular the silver part and the wooden stand, superficial rust on the metal part in commensuration with its age and use, No holes, No breakage. It may benefit from a professional cleaning to shine but I preferred to keep it in its original form! All pieces are original- except the mirror glass that was changed later. Overall, it is considered in very good shape and condition considering its 170 years age Pieces: Steel mirror case with solid silver decorations (including mirror), Treated wooden base and 2 screws. The mirror case can be easily separated from the base by un-screwing the 2 screws (included). Photography: Different shades and intensities of light exposure, brightness and brilliance were used for photography to ensure details are visible as much as possible. Hence, some of the photos may be somewhat different in terms of brightness and color from the actual object. "This Museum deserving piece is highly sought after by collectors interested in Middle Eastern, Indian and/or Islamic artisanship of 18th and 19th centuries." "Please note that the information provided herein is a result of expert opinions and extensive research done on the object so this information should be deemed as an educated evaluation of the object rather than a guaranty." Shipping worldwide with safe packing (the mirror case and the base will be separately packed to ensure safety during shipping) and tracking number with 3 working days from Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK