Provenance
Private Italian collection.

The Arabic document on which his hand rests reads: 'The law [i.e. constitution] of the King of Tunisia, in Muharram 1277/July 1860'.

In 1861 Muhammad III as-Sadiq promulgated the first constitution (qanun al-dawla) of both Tunisia and the Arab world as a whole and this almost certainly refers to this event. The date may be an error or may refer to the date the constitution was drawn up before it was signed.

Muhammad III as-Sadiq was the Husainid Bey of Tunis from 1859 until his death in 1882. He was made a divisional General in the Imperial Ottoman Army in 1855 and was promoted to the rank of Marshal following his accession in 1859. In 1861 he promulgated the first written constitution in the Arab World resulting in the formation of a new Supreme Council and thus limiting his own powers as Bey. The constitution also guaranteed equality of rights to Muslims, Christians and Jews alike encouraging Europeans to set up business in Tunisia. His interest in European style was evident at his principal residence, the Ksar Said palace, which is built in the Italianate style.

For a diamond-set gold box made for Muhammad III as-Sadiq, see the sale in these rooms, Bonhams, Islamic and Indian Art, 30th April 2019, lot 46.

Saleroom notices

Please note that the painting is signed by Auguste Moynier (1813-65), the 'peintre ordinaire' at the court of the Bey of Tunis. Moynier painted the official portrait of Muhammed Sadiq with the Constitution in 1861, now in the Institut National de Patrimoine, Tunis. Our painting seems to be a study for this portrait, or alternatively it is a copy given to a foreign diplomat. We are grateful to Dr Ridha Moumni, Harvard University, for the identification of the artist and other information relating to this lot.

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- Islamic and Indian Art
- Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art

Muhammad III as-Sadiq, ruler of Tunisia (reg. 1859-1882) French School, circa 1860

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Matthew Thomas