Lot 142
142
A ZAND GOLD PAINTED AND LACQUERED WOODEN GANJIFA CARD BOX
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
A ZAND GOLD PAINTED AND LACQUERED WOODEN GANJIFA CARD BOX

BY MUHAMMAD HUSAYN, IRAN, DATED AH 1176/1762-3 AD

Details
A ZAND GOLD PAINTED AND LACQUERED WOODEN GANJIFA CARD BOX
BY MUHAMMAD HUSAYN, IRAN, DATED AH 1176/1762-3 AD
Of rectangular form, the sliding cover with rounded shoulders and stepped lip around the central rectangular section that slides in the other direction, the surface with panels of gold floral and palmette designs painted directly onto the wooden ground, the underside of the central panel with a diagonal elegant white nasta'liq inscription including the signature and date, slight restoration, re-lacquered
5½in. (14cm.) long
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The inscription starts hasb al-amr al-'ali (By the exalted command). This is followed by a quatrain on the game Ganjifa. The inscription ends be-raqam-e kamtarin gholaman muhammad husayn surat-e etmam paziroft fi 1176 (It was completed by the smallest of slaves (of God), Muhammad Husayn in 1176 (AD 1762-3)).

The game of Ganjifa, of Indian origin, was particularly popular during the early Safavid period in Iran. Hilali wrote a long and complex poem describing the game, which includes a similar quatrain. The game is however no longer played or even known in Iran.

More from Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds

View All
View All