- 217
A large octagonal lacquer mirror case, signed by Muhammad Isma'il, Persia, Qajar, second half 19th century
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- lacquer
of octagonal form, richly decorated lacquer with European scenes, including a banquet above featuring members of the Armenian clergy and worshippers in front of a church, within foliate borders and floral bands, the other side with scenes inspired by the tale of Shaykh San’an and the Christian maiden, opening to reveal a mirrored surface
Condition
In general good condition, the colours rich and dense with gold, some light hairline scratches to surface on exterior and interior, the mirror is in fact a reflective surface which was pasted down, this is probably later, set with a textile border, slight remains of an adhesive substance on the surface, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
inscriptions
‘By the order of the most noble prince, the exalted, Ihtisham (sic), may his high fortune be everlasting. The work of the most humble Muhammad Isma’il’
Ihtisham, as referred to in the above inscription, must refer to Khanlar Mirza (d.1861-62), the seventeenth son of ‘Abbas Mirza Na’ib al-Saltanah. He received his title Ihtisham al-Dawlah in 1851-52. His various posts include the governorship of Yazd, Kerman, Hamadan, Mazandaran, Borujerd, Luristan and Kurdistan, Bakhtiyari and Isfahan. He was in charge of the army in the battle with the British in the south, which the Iranian army lost in 1857 AD (Mehdi Bamdad, Dictionary of National Biography of Iran, 1700-1960, vol.1, Tehran, 1966, pp.473-6).
Around the edge in nasta’liq: verses from the famous tarji’-band of Hatif Isfahani (d.1783).
A number of lacquer works in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection, London, feature similar scenes to the present example (notably inv. nos. LAQ42 and LAQ43, see Lacquer of the Islamic Lands, Part II, Volume XXII, Oxford, 1997, nos.260 and 261).
‘By the order of the most noble prince, the exalted, Ihtisham (sic), may his high fortune be everlasting. The work of the most humble Muhammad Isma’il’
Ihtisham, as referred to in the above inscription, must refer to Khanlar Mirza (d.1861-62), the seventeenth son of ‘Abbas Mirza Na’ib al-Saltanah. He received his title Ihtisham al-Dawlah in 1851-52. His various posts include the governorship of Yazd, Kerman, Hamadan, Mazandaran, Borujerd, Luristan and Kurdistan, Bakhtiyari and Isfahan. He was in charge of the army in the battle with the British in the south, which the Iranian army lost in 1857 AD (Mehdi Bamdad, Dictionary of National Biography of Iran, 1700-1960, vol.1, Tehran, 1966, pp.473-6).
Around the edge in nasta’liq: verses from the famous tarji’-band of Hatif Isfahani (d.1783).
A number of lacquer works in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection, London, feature similar scenes to the present example (notably inv. nos. LAQ42 and LAQ43, see Lacquer of the Islamic Lands, Part II, Volume XXII, Oxford, 1997, nos.260 and 261).