19th Jun, 2025 12:00
Arts of India and the Islamic Lands
100
A QAJAR POLYCHROME-PAINTED LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ MIRROR CASE
Iran, 19th century
A QAJAR POLYCHROME-PAINTED LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ MIRROR CASE
PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE BRITISH COLLECTION
Iran, 19th century
Of octagonal shape, painted in polychromes, gilt and lacquered, the front and back featuring the typical Persian lyrical topos of gol o bolbol (the rose and the nightingale), showing lively birds perched among flowering branches, framed within a delicate gilt border on a dark brown ground, the inner cover finely painted with a floral triumph, hinged and fitted with simple metal clasps.
14cm x 17.5cm
Provenance: purchased by the present vendor's family when stationed at the Foreign Office in Tehran, Iran, from 1970 until 1972.
Lacquered mirror cases and boxes were highly prized in Qajar Iran, becoming soon an ubiquitous symbol of elite households. The finely painted flowers and birds are emblematic of Persian poetic and visual traditions, symbolizing beauty, love, and transience.
Sold for £492
A QAJAR POLYCHROME-PAINTED LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ MIRROR CASE
PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE BRITISH COLLECTION
Iran, 19th century
Of octagonal shape, painted in polychromes, gilt and lacquered, the front and back featuring the typical Persian lyrical topos of gol o bolbol (the rose and the nightingale), showing lively birds perched among flowering branches, framed within a delicate gilt border on a dark brown ground, the inner cover finely painted with a floral triumph, hinged and fitted with simple metal clasps.
14cm x 17.5cm
Provenance: purchased by the present vendor's family when stationed at the Foreign Office in Tehran, Iran, from 1970 until 1972.
Lacquered mirror cases and boxes were highly prized in Qajar Iran, becoming soon an ubiquitous symbol of elite households. The finely painted flowers and birds are emblematic of Persian poetic and visual traditions, symbolizing beauty, love, and transience.
Auction: Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, 19th Jun, 2025
Our specialist auction Arts of India and the Islamic Lands is now online for you to browse, peruse and fall in love with your next antique.
Among the highlights, this sale vaunts a remarkable selection of Rajput Schools paintings and an illustrated loose folio from a Timurid Haft Paykar series, all part of a private Canadian collection; several gem-studded Indian necklaces, treasured heirlooms of a local family; a notable group of Islamic manuscripts, including a geomantic tome attributed to the Nubian alchemist Dhul-Nun al-Misri; and several lots of Persian Qajar lacquer belonging to the heir of a British diplomatic family in office under Sir Denis Wright in Tehran between 1971 - 1973.
Our selected lots preview starts next week, on Tuesday 3rd June, and the full view is going to take place from Friday 13th June until the sale day.
Mark your calendars and come to see us!
Viewing
Viewing:
13th June - 10:00 - 17:00
14th June - 11:00 - 16:00
15th June - 11:00 - 16:00
16th June - 10:00 - 17:00
17th June - 10:00 - 17:00
18th June - 10:00 - 17:00
