QAJAR IRAN, CIRCA 1870

Details

A POLYCHROME PÂPIER MÂCHÉ LACQUER PENCASE (QALAMDAN)
QAJAR IRAN, CIRCA 1870
With rounded ends and sliding tray with cusped edges, the exterior of the box and the tray with oval and circular cartouches containing figural scenes mostly depicting royal events from the history of Iran, the central cartouche with an enthronement scene depicting Nasir al-din Shah Qajar, most figures identified above or below in nasta'liq, set on a ground of scrolling vine, the interior of the tray with polychrome floral decoration on gold ground
9¼in. (23.5cm.) long

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This Lot is Withdrawn.

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Lot Essay

This penbox is of a type often referred to as qalamdan-i kayani, or ‘royal pen box’. The name refers to the type of decoration that they bear, which is notable for its density and is dominated by the theme of kingship. Similar penboxes are the Nasser D. Khalili Collection (Nasser D. Khalili, B.W.Robinson and Tim Stanley, Lacquer of the Islamic Lands, Part II, London, 1997, nos.250-52, pp.60-62).

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