QAJAR IRAN, DATED AH 1297/1880 AD

Details

A LACQUER PAPIER-MÂCHÉ PENBOX (QALAMDAN)
QAJAR IRAN, DATED AH 1297/1880 AD
Of typical form with rounded ends and sliding tray, painted in gold highlighted polychrome lacquer with figural scenes, the top with a central oval medallion flanked with intricate black gul-o-bulbul, inhabited by a lioness with her two cubs playing, each side with fine and elegant gul-o-bulbul on a ground of gold cloud pattern, each end with cartouches depicting hares in various stances, the base with three delicate gold floral sprays, in original fitted velvet box
9 ¾in. (24cm.) long

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Lot Essay

The artist's treatment of the birds and bushes on our qalamdan is very close to that found on a pencase signed Fathallah Shirazi and dated AH 1303/1886 AD in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection (Nasser D. Khalili, B.W. Robinson and Tim Stanley, Lacquer of the Islamic Lands, Part Two, London, 1996, cat.336).]

A later added inscription on the top panel gives the name of the pencase's owner as Mu’tamad al-Sultan.

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