TWO QAJAR REVERSE-GLASS PAINTINGS OF MAIDENS, PERSIA, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

glass, painted in reverse, coloured and gilt wood frames

The Hon. Robert William Hugh O Neill, 1st Baron Rathcavan (1883-1982), and thence by descent.
Acquired by The Hon. Robert William Hugh O'Neill whilst serving as Deputy Judge Advocate General in Palestine during the First World War (1914-18). O'Neill went on to become the first Speaker of the Northern Ireland Parliament, a minister in the India Office and chairman of the 1922 Committee during the Neville Chamberlain years before becoming the longest serving member of the House of Commons. As "Father of the House" and in recognition of his achievements in politics he was created 1st Baron Rathcavan in 1953

This is a rare example of the technique of verre eglomisé (reverse painting in opaque watercolour on glass) produced in Persia during the early Qajar period.  These charming portrayals are particularly associated with the early to  mid-Qajar period when richly dressed, luxurious figures were presented in poses of revelry.

Reverse glass painting is likely to have evolved from the interior decoration of Safavid palaces that saw mirror work in vegetal and geometric patterns ornamenting the walls. The precedent for this type of work in Persia could have come from either the Orient or the Occident, as reverse glass painting had been practised in Europe as well as China.