Iran / Persia: Seljuq Sultan Berkyaruq ibn Malikshah (ruled 1093-1105), from Rashid Al-Din, 'History of...

The Seljuq Empire (1037-1194) extended from the Hindu Kush in Pakistan to eastern Anatolia and from Central Asia to the Persian Gulf. After much political and military strife, Berkyaruq ibn Malikshah became the Seljuq sultan in 1093, reigning until 1105. Here he sits on a blue cushion, which is decorated with gold arabesques and placed on an elaborate Chinese-style throne, wearing a Seljuq crown. A second crown with ribbons extending from it hangs above his head, an element from Sassanian tradition. Five courtiers are to the left of the Sultan, two kneeling, one sitting and two standing. They exhibit a variety of headwear, including a turban, double-brimmed hats, a beehive hat and the typical Mongol cap. To the right of the sultan, a scribe wearing a turban kneels with his writing materials, which include an Islamic type pen-box, beside him.