A fine Qajar carved hardstone flask made for the Qajar Minister Amin Sultan, signed 'Ali Shirazi Hakkak and dated month of dhi-hajja 1309 AH/ June-July 1892 AD

of pear form with a head-shaped dropper, the body intricately carved on one side with a putti holding a bow and arrow standing between two floral bouquets attached with a bow, surmounted by an inscription within a cartouche, the other side depicting a lion devouring a gazelle, also standing on a bow with floral bouquets, signed and dated to the bottom and with inscription inside cartouche above, with a gold-inlaid rim and hanging gold chain and loop attached to two hooks on each side of shoulder, inside fitted velvet case

In overall good condition, very minor discoloration consistent with age, as viewed.
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inscription

vazir-e a'zam amin sultan/ 'amal-e aqall-e ghulam 'ali/fi shahr-e dhi hajja (sic) 1309

'Most great Minister Amin Sultan. Work of the smallest of slaves, 'Ali in the month of dhi-hajja 1309 AH/June-July 1892 AD'

Mirza 'Ali Asghar Khan, with titles Sahib Jam', Amin al-Mulk, Amin al-Sultan and Atabak-e A'zam (1274-1325 AH/1858-1907 AD), was one of the most influential politicians of the Qajar period. He was the son of Aqa Ibrahim 'Amin al-Sultan and held a few posts before he received the title Amin al-Dawla in 1299 AH/1881-2 AD. On his father's death in 1300 AH/1883 AD, he inherited all his posts and the title 'Amin al-Sultan, as well as new positions. Despite his relative low birth and education, he is credited with intelligence, good memory, shrewdness, as well as a good style of composition and calligraphy. He was appointed Prime Minister in 1310 AH/1893 AD, and was dismissed and re-appointed several times. He was granted the title of Atabak-e A'zam by Muzaffar al-Din Shah in 1318 AH/1900 AD.  Various concessions and monopolies were given to foreign governments and companies while he was in power. He transferred his support from the British to the Russians, which eventually led to his assassination in 1325 AH/1907 AD. (J. Calmard, 'Atabak-e A'zam, Encyclopaedia Iranica, vol.II, New York, 1987, pp.878-90 and M. Bamdad, Dictionary of National Biography of Iran, 1700–1900, vol.2, Tehran, 1966, pp.387-425).

This piece was made while Amin al-Sultan was acting as a Minister and a year before he was appointed Prime Minister (Sadr a'zam).

The maker 'Ali may be identified with 'Ali Shirazi Hakkak (carver), titled Baqa who is recorded by Fursat al-Dawla Shirazi 1271-1339 AH/1854-1920 AD as a skilled carver of hard stones whose work in relief was particularly masterful and who followed Mir 'Imad in his nasta'liq. (Fursat al-Dawla Shirazi, Athar-e 'Ajam, reprint 1362 sh, (n.d.), p.551).  Although the maker's name could also be read as Ghulam (Slave) 'Ali, no carver with that name is recorded.