A QAJAR LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ MIRROR CASE WITH ZAYMAN AND KHITAN CEREMONIES
Qajar Iran, mid to late 19th century

Of rectangular shape, the mirror case painted in polychromes and gold, and lacquered, the front and reverse panels featuring intimate indoor scenes of convivial female gatherings to celebrate important rites of passage in the life of a mother, such as the delivery of her son (zayman) and his circumcision (khitan), the scene on the front cover picturing the women of the house gathered around the little baby boy, keeping him still whilst the wet nurse performs the khitan, three maiden observing the scene in the background resting on large bolsters in front of trays with Persian delicacies, in the panel on the reverse the delivery scene depicts a young woman squatting in a birthing position on a brick platform in the middle ground, with a hijab covering her face, many women surrounding her, engaged in all sorts of activities like reading, smoking, serving food, and even holding a sword and whisking it around, each scene set within concentric decorative borders with foliage and vegetal sprays, the interior of the lid with a typical Qajar maiden seated against a large bolster in a Persian interior.

28.3cm x 19cm

In Qajar art, figural representations of daily life, large celebrations, and interior scenes were particularly beloved and the lacquer media provided a great platform. This mirror case would have been the perfect companion to any Qajar woman and new mother, going through many rites of passage. The consolation these panels offered was the awareness that she would have not had to face these challenges alone: she would be accompanied by a crowd of wise, well-spirited and kindred women supporting her every step of the way, as these illustrations testify.