A finely painted portrait miniature of the penultimate Mughal Emperor Akbar Shah II (1750-1837). Circa 1830. Painted in gouache and gold on paper. The emperor is framed in a burnished gold oval medallion surrounded by an illuminated border of intricate foliate scrollwork. Depicted three quarter length and wearing a wonderful cheetah or leopard skin court robe and jeweled turban, his head adorned with a divine nimbus or gold halo. He is seated in a European style chair on a terrace with a white balustrade behind, flanked by trees against a bright blue sky. A rectangular cartouche to top centre is inscribed in Nastaliq and translates to ''The blessed likeness of His Majesty Emperor Akbar Shah''.This wonderful portrait miniature is in excellent condition. Remarkably, after almost 200 years, the colours remaining bright and fresh. The early 19th Century gilt frame with original glass. The portrait measures 20cm high and 15cm wide. The frame measures 26cm high by 21cm w...