Shah Jahan holding an emerald

This portrait of Shah Jahan (r.1628-1658) is signed by the court artist Muhammad Abed, who adds in his Persian inscription that he is the son of Aqa Reza (an Iranian artist who came to the Mughal court in the late 16th century) and brother of Nader al-Zaman ('Wonder of the Age'), a title given to one of the most important of all Mughal artists, Abu'l Hasan. The portrait depicts Shah Jahan, a renowned connoisseur of precious stones, wearing necklaces, bracelets, armlets and turban jewels made of very large pearls, spinels and emeralds. He holds a huge, facetted emerald in his left hand. The artist has signed his name and family connections in minute gold script beneath Shah Jahan's feet, with the addition that the painting was completed in the first (regnal) year, corresponding to 14 February 1628-25 January 1629.