Four Qajar lacquer penboxes (qalamdans) Persia, 19th Century (4)
Property from the collection of Zill al-Sultan
Four Qajar lacquer penboxes (qalamdans)
Persia, 19th Century
each with rounded ends and sliding tray, variously decorated in polychrome and gilt with figural scenes
the largest 24.3 cm. long(4)
Provenance
Prince Masoud Mirza Yamin al-Dawla Zill al-Sultan (1850-1918), and thence by descent.
The first decorated in polychrome and gilt with battle or hunting scenes, signed and dated to top, the base with foliate interlace on a red ground, the sides of inner tray with further foliate interlace on a red ground, 23.5 cm. long.
Inscriptions: spurious signature, 'Abbas Shirazi 1281 (1864-5)'.
The second decorated in polychrome and gilt with cartouches on a ground of foliate interlace, the cartouches to the top depicting events in the life of Shaykh San'an, the sides with cartouches depicting episodes from Nizami's Khusrow and Shirin, Layla and Majnun and Haft Paykar, with inscriptions, the base with foliate interlace on a red ground, the sides of inner tray with further foliate interlace on a red ground, containing a tinned-copper inkwell with openwork palmette motif to one side, 24.2 cm. long.
The third with roundels depicting Sufis, with inscriptions, the base with foliate interlace on a black ground, the sides of inner tray with further foliate interlace on a black ground, 21.9 cm. long.
Inscriptions: made in Shiraz in Muharram 1309 (August-September 1891). Sufis including Sa'di, Najm al-Din [Kubra], Shams-e Tabrizi, Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi, Mushtaq 'Ali Shah, Ma'sum 'Ali Shah. Nur 'Ali Shah, Baba Kuhi, Baba Tahir, 'Araqi, Mansur 'Ali, Hafiz and Indian Sufis (not all identified). The text on the book is a Persian couplet (poet unidentified).
The fourth with a central cartouche to top containing a European scene, 22 cm. long.
Important Notice to Buyers
Some countries, e.g., the US, prohibit or restrict the purchase by its citizens (wherever located) and/or the import of certain types of works of particular origins. As a convenience to buyers, Bonhams has marked with the symbol R all lots of Iranian (Persian) and Syrian origin. It is each buyer's responsibility to ensure that they do not bid on or import a lot in contravention of the sanctions or trade embargoes that apply to them.
Bid on this lot
Property from the collection of Zill al-Sultan
Four Qajar lacquer penboxes (qalamdans)
Persia, 19th Century
each with rounded ends and sliding tray, variously decorated in polychrome and gilt with figural scenes
the largest 24.3 cm. long(4)
Provenance
Prince Masoud Mirza Yamin al-Dawla Zill al-Sultan (1850-1918), and thence by descent.
The first decorated in polychrome and gilt with battle or hunting scenes, signed and dated to top, the base with foliate interlace on a red ground, the sides of inner tray with further foliate interlace on a red ground, 23.5 cm. long.
Inscriptions: spurious signature, 'Abbas Shirazi 1281 (1864-5)'.
The second decorated in polychrome and gilt with cartouches on a ground of foliate interlace, the cartouches to the top depicting events in the life of Shaykh San'an, the sides with cartouches depicting episodes from Nizami's Khusrow and Shirin, Layla and Majnun and Haft Paykar, with inscriptions, the base with foliate interlace on a red ground, the sides of inner tray with further foliate interlace on a red ground, containing a tinned-copper inkwell with openwork palmette motif to one side, 24.2 cm. long.
The third with roundels depicting Sufis, with inscriptions, the base with foliate interlace on a black ground, the sides of inner tray with further foliate interlace on a black ground, 21.9 cm. long.
Inscriptions: made in Shiraz in Muharram 1309 (August-September 1891). Sufis including Sa'di, Najm al-Din [Kubra], Shams-e Tabrizi, Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi, Mushtaq 'Ali Shah, Ma'sum 'Ali Shah. Nur 'Ali Shah, Baba Kuhi, Baba Tahir, 'Araqi, Mansur 'Ali, Hafiz and Indian Sufis (not all identified). The text on the book is a Persian couplet (poet unidentified).
The fourth with a central cartouche to top containing a European scene, 22 cm. long.
Important Notice to Buyers
Some countries, e.g., the US, prohibit or restrict the purchase by its citizens (wherever located) and/or the import of certain types of works of particular origins. As a convenience to buyers, Bonhams has marked with the symbol R all lots of Iranian (Persian) and Syrian origin. It is each buyer's responsibility to ensure that they do not bid on or import a lot in contravention of the sanctions or trade embargoes that apply to them.
