A QAJAR POLYCHROME-PAINTED ENAMELLED GOLD QALYAN CUP WITH MOTHER AND CHILD AND DERVISH PORTRAITS Iran, 19th century

A QAJAR POLYCHROME-PAINTED ENAMELLED GOLD QALYAN CUP WITH MOTHER AND CHILD AND DERVISH PORTRAITS Iran, 19th century Of typical flaring cylindrical shape, with an everted rim, the exterior painted in polychrome enamels, the decoration consisting of alternating cusped cartouches and lobed medallions with figural portraits, two focusing on the theme of motherhood and the bond between mothers and their children, both mothers with bare breasts symbolising fertility and nurturing care, the remaining two with a Sufi dervish wearing a typical conical felt hat and a heavily bejewelled Qajar princess with a gem-encrusted cap and forehead ornament, all set against a vibrant gold ground filled with colourful floral bouquets and foliage, framed within two horizontal friezes of ovals filled with white flowers and gold beads against red and blue grounds, the interior painted in ochre yellow enamel, mounted on a later-added low-grade silver cup and screwed-in base, 8.5cm diam. and 6.5cm high.Click here to share: