Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
This collection contains paintings created by Iranian flower painter Muhammed Rezai (circa 1750-1850).
Muhammed Rezai was a 19th century Iranian flower painter. It is likely that Rezai was from the Iranian city of Shiraz, as one of the paintings is signed “Muhammed Rezai Shirazi.” Rezai painted during the Qajar era of Iran. Rezai is not well researched, but an additional work that may be painted by him appears in the British Museum’s collection as BM 1983,0315,0.1.24 . Under the Qajar dynasty (1789-1925), Iran experienced a period of relative peace which allowed the arts to flourish. Qajar art is defined by its distinctive portraiture and lacquerware. Qajar lacquerware often featured floral designs, but painted flowers were less common among single-page paintings.
The Lily and Poppy Paintings by Muhammed Rezai Collection (Circa 1750-1850) contains two drawings of flowers, created by Muhammed Rezai with opaque pigments and ink on paper. One painting depicts an unidentified lily, while the other depicts a poppy flower, likely Papaver somniferum. These paintings were possibly part of an album, as there are handwritten page numbers on the mounts.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries’ “Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain” and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], Lily and Poppy Paintings by Muhammed Rezai, MSS 00505, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Purchased, August 2026 (Accession 2026.0098).
Processed by: Ell Woolard, August 2026; Collection guide written by: Ell Woolard, August 2026.
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
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Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
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Phone: (919) 515-2273
[Identification of item], Lily and Poppy Paintings by Muhammed Rezai, MSS 00505, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries’ “Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain” and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.