Two Qajar lacquer pen-boxes (qalamdan), Persia, mid-19th century and circa 1900

each lacquered papier-mache box with rounded ends and sliding tray, the first depicting scenes of a European battle, probably the French armies during the Peninsula War, signed ‘Ya Abbas’ in black nasta’liq on top, the signature possibly added later, the base of the box and sides of the tray with gold floral scrolls on red ground; the second decorated with nightingales perching on hazelnut branches (gul-o bulbul) on the top and sides, the red base and tray with simple gold line decoration

2

length 23.6cm; 23cm.