Two women carrying a tea service

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 Freer Gallery of Art Collection 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) Charles Vignier (1863-1934) Mme. Blair Kirkor Minassian (1874-1944)