We don’t have an image of this object online yet. V&A Images may have a photograph that we can’t show online, but it may be possible to supply one to you. Email us at vaimages@vam.ac.uk for guidance about fees and timescales, quoting the accession number: E.323-2003
Find out about our images

Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level F , Case X, Shelf 1000, Box G

The Buffet

Photograph
October 1958 (photographed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Black and white photograph the table set with a lavish buffet with guests standing and eating on either side.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Buffet (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Gelatin-silver print
Brief description
Black and white photograph of guests eating at the Shah of Iran's birthday buffet, by Charles Gordian Troeller,Tehran, October 1958.
Physical description
Black and white photograph the table set with a lavish buffet with guests standing and eating on either side.
Dimensions
  • Height: 23.9cm
  • Width: 35.8cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'CHARLES GORDIAN / TROELLER' (Photographer's stamp.)
  • 'COPYRIGHT / THE / JOHN HILLELSON / AGENCY / 145, FLEET ST. LONDON, E.C.4. / Tel. FLEet Street 7664 / BAYswater 7389.' (Copyright stamp of John Hillelson Agency.)
  • 'Le Buffet.' (Hand-written in pencil, in ?Troeller's hand, on back of photograph.)
    Translation
    The buffet
Credit line
Given by John and Juith Hillelson
Object history
This photograph was donated by John and Judith Hillelson from their collection and archive of the John Hillelson Picture Agency.

Historical significance: Mohammed Reza Pahlavi was the last Shah of Iran (reg.1941-79) and Charles Gordian Troeller the first photojournalist permitted to photograph the private reception held each year in celebration of the Shah's birthday. This photograph forms part of a series of 24 photographs taken by Troeller during the festivities for the Shah's 39th birthday in 1958. The series is of historical significance as a pictorial record of a now disposed dynasty. Just 5 years prior to these photographs being taken the Shah was forced to flee Iran due to his country being increasingly dogged by political unrest in the aftermath of WWII. Having been quickly escorted back to power by a joint military operation orchestrated by British and American secret services, five years on, in these photographs, the Shah, his family and their courtiers appear to have survived the worst.

Looking at these photographs now, knowing that in 1979 further political unrest would lead to the monarchy's permanent banishment (the Shah died in exile in Egypt in 1980), give these photographs an unsettling quality. The series captures the calm before the real storm.
Subject depicted
Place depicted
Collection
Accession number
E.323-2003

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMay 11, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSON