- 221
A large rectangular lacquer pen case, signed by Muhammad Baqir, Persia, Zand, dated 1197 AH/1782 AD
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description
- lacquer
of rectangular form, the decoration to the lid comprising a scene of noblemen in the wilderness, on the sides further scenes of archaeological ruins, inscriptive band running along side of lid, interior of lid with ruler on horseback followed by a procession, with signature and date
Condition
In good overall condition, the scenes detailed and clear with strong colours, some minor nicks to edges and corners, with some associated retouching and overpainting, light scratches to underside, light craquelure to 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
Patron: ‘Ali Murad Khan, the Zandi ruler of Iran (r.1781-85).
Poet: Husayn Rafiq al-Husayni (d.1797-98).
Painter: Muhammad Baqir.
Dated: 1197 AH/1782-83 AD.
The Persian poems by Rafiq are in praise of the patron ‘Ali Murad Khan.
The painter has signed inside the lid as:
‘The most humble, Muhammad Baqir 1197 (1782-83 AD)’.
In the poems Muhammad Baqir is referred to as: ‘By the pen of the painter of the respected [ruler] (az khameh-ye musavver-e sarkar-e mohtaram).
Muhammad Baqir is recorded by Karimzadeh-Tabrizi as a son of Muhammad ‘Ali from Isfahan, who is praised in Rustam al-Tawarikh together with a few other painters, each considered the second Mani, and in fact a thousand times better. He worked on lacquer as well as watercolour and signed in various ways ya baqir al-‘ulum; baqir ze ba’d-e ‘ali ashraf shod as well as the manner he has signed this piece. His recorded works in lacquer are dated between 1160 AH/1747-8 AD and 1195 AH/1780-81 AD and are mainly book covers and mirror-cases and rarely pen-boxes. Karimzadeh records only one pen-box by him, making this piece the only second recorded pen-box by him; unlike many other painters, he dated his work (Karimzadeh-Tabrizi, The Lives & Art of Old Painters of Iran, vol.2, London 1990, pp.659-63). For a discussion on painters with the name Muhammad Baqir, see Khalili et al, Lacquer of the Islamic World, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, Part One, 1996, pp.75-76.
Patron: ‘Ali Murad Khan, the Zandi ruler of Iran (r.1781-85).
Poet: Husayn Rafiq al-Husayni (d.1797-98).
Painter: Muhammad Baqir.
Dated: 1197 AH/1782-83 AD.
The Persian poems by Rafiq are in praise of the patron ‘Ali Murad Khan.
The painter has signed inside the lid as:
‘The most humble, Muhammad Baqir 1197 (1782-83 AD)’.
In the poems Muhammad Baqir is referred to as: ‘By the pen of the painter of the respected [ruler] (az khameh-ye musavver-e sarkar-e mohtaram).
Muhammad Baqir is recorded by Karimzadeh-Tabrizi as a son of Muhammad ‘Ali from Isfahan, who is praised in Rustam al-Tawarikh together with a few other painters, each considered the second Mani, and in fact a thousand times better. He worked on lacquer as well as watercolour and signed in various ways ya baqir al-‘ulum; baqir ze ba’d-e ‘ali ashraf shod as well as the manner he has signed this piece. His recorded works in lacquer are dated between 1160 AH/1747-8 AD and 1195 AH/1780-81 AD and are mainly book covers and mirror-cases and rarely pen-boxes. Karimzadeh records only one pen-box by him, making this piece the only second recorded pen-box by him; unlike many other painters, he dated his work (Karimzadeh-Tabrizi, The Lives & Art of Old Painters of Iran, vol.2, London 1990, pp.659-63). For a discussion on painters with the name Muhammad Baqir, see Khalili et al, Lacquer of the Islamic World, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, Part One, 1996, pp.75-76.