Description
authentic official state portrait of Saddam Hussein in its original silver-toned Italian frame, measuring 13.25″ x 10.5″. This piece is a significant “Dark History” artifact with direct provenance to the Tikriti inner circle, reportedly salvaged from the estate of Arshad Yassin, Saddam’s brother-in-law and chief personal security officer.
Condition & “Conflict Provenance”: This item is being sold in as-found “Spoils of War” condition. It is not a pristine gallery piece, but a survivor of the conflict in Baghdad:
Structural Damage: The upper-left corner of the silver frame is bent from a significant impact, likely from being dropped or struck during the chaotic recovery from a palace setting.
Surface Wear: The silver-toned finish exhibits visible scratches and scuffs consistent with unboxed handling in a war zone.
Internal Wear: The original cardboard backing shows light water damage/warping and age-related wear. These flaws provide tangible evidence of the item’s history and are highly valued by collectors who prefer artifacts with a “lived-in” connection to the event.
Authentication Hallmarks:
Studio Jean Baghdad Stamp: The reverse of the photo features the official blue stamp from Baghdad’s elite studio, confirming it as an official government commission.
Enamel State Emblem: The top features a hand-painted enamel Eagle of Saladin, the official national emblem.
Italian Origin: The frame is stamped with original Italian manufacturing hallmarks, common for luxury décor commissioned by the Ba’athist elite.
This letter serves to document the provenance of the official state portrait of Saddam Hussein (housed in an Italian silver frame with the enameled Eagle of Saladin).
According to the acquisition history provided by a former Iraqi national, this artifact was originally part of the private collection of Arshad Yassin (Arshad Yassin Al Nassiri), the brother-in-law, personal pilot, and chief personal bodyguard of Saddam Hussein.
The item was personally witnessed by the source in the residence of Arshad Yassin in Baghdad during the mid-1990s. Following the 2003 conflict, the item was recovered from the Baghdad antique markets, where it was identified by the source based on its unique enamel emblem and official Studio Jean markings. The “battle scars” (bent corner and scratches) present on the frame are consistent with its recovery from the inner circle’s estates during the fall of the regime.
David Gonzalez M.Ed
Proprietor
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