eunuch cookies and cream

showcasing art, literature and research related to (court) eunuchs

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Two miniature portraits of Neknam Khan, eunuch sipahsalar to Abdullah Qutb Shah, both dated c. 1690-1700 and made in the Deccan (probably Golconda) ☁️

Both watercolor, with gold leaf added in the first

The first painting is from a Bonhams auction held in 2025 (lot 191), now sold.

The second painting is in the Victoria and Albert Museum (IS.10-1955).

A similar portrait of Neknam Khan was auctioned by Christie's on 12 June 2018 (lot 10), but it is unavailable on their website.

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Wax figures of a black eunuch in the restored Karaağalar Ward of Topkapı Palace 🌺

Here is a travel photo from 2014 with different figures

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Two polychrome clay statues of Chinese eunuchs 🪲🌷 Holy Mother Hall, Jin Shrine, Taiyuan

Northern Song Dynasty

From the Visual Arts Legacy Collection [1] [2]

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‎Coinage of Abu al-Misk Kafur, the black eunuch sole ruler of Ikhshidid Egypt, dated 355 H (966 AD). Kafurid coins from this year are considered relatively abundant by dealers

‎Note the little isolated ﻙ/kaf at the bottom on the obverse

From The David Collection

Additional information below:

‎According to Jere L. Bacharach, the ﻙ/kaf which begins to appear on Ikhshidid coinage from 355 H/966 AD (the year he assumed de jure rulership) was likely public propaganda to signify Kafur's political legitimacy despite his lack of rights to sikka (as he was a eunuch).

From his 1988 journal article “The Coinage of Kāfūr: A Cautionary Tale.”

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Possible depiction of a black eunuch from the Fatimid period

Earthenware bowl, painted in lustre over a white glaze

Egypt; 11th – early 12th century

H: 5.5; Diam: 20.5 cm

From The David Collection

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eunuchs are manuls