A CARVED IRANIAN FRUITWOOD BOX WITH NASIR AL-DIN SHAH’S PORTRAIT
Qajar Iran, ca. 1880 - 1900

Of rectangular shape, the hinged lid and sides carved with typical Qajar gol-o-bolbol (rose and nightingale) motifs, vegetal arabesques, and figural portraits of maidens dressed in European attires, the centre of the lid featuring a stylised bust portrait of Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar (r. 1848 - 1896) overlaid on an intricate cusped arabesque medallion filled with interlocking vegetal meanders, the interior lined with Indian cream-coloured satin silk fabric printed with repeating buti (boteh, paisley leaves), flowers and beaded bands.

13.5cm x 31cm x 45cm

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the main centre of Persian wood carving was located in Abadeh, a village between Isfahan and Shiraz. This town became renowned for its elaborately carved spoons (qashuq) and boxes, all made of either pear or lime wood, and usually carved with a common pocket knife. Abadeh spoons tend to be made from several separate parts, each finely carved, pierced, shaped, and adhered together with glue. Abadeh boxes such as the present example became sought-after keepsakes for Western travellers visiting Iran at the end of the Qajar era, leading to an increase of production for export purposes and the enduring appeal of these creations.