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, portraits and gul-o bul bul
the largest 22.5 cm. long(4)
Provenance
Prince Masoud Mirza Yamin al-Dawla Zill al-Sultan (1850-1918), and thence by descent.
The first decorated in gilt, black and orange-brown, to the top a central cartouche depicting the seated Shams-e Tabrizi before Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi, the cartouche surrounded by gul-o bul bul and further cartouches containing inscriptions, the sides and ends with roundels containing portraits of Sufis and birds interspersed by floral sprays, the base with birds and butterflies perched on a floral branch, the sides of inner tray with floral sprays, containing a tinned-copper spoon, 19.7 cm. long.
Inscriptions: In the four inscribed panels, two couplets in praise of the pen-box,
tuba lak ey zarif qalamdan keh nazd-e 'aql, afzuntar ast qadr to az hezar chiz, alvan-e mokhtalif nabovad gar tora cheh gham, khoshtar bovad 'arus-e neku-ruy-e bi-jahiz, 'Joy to you, O the elegant pen box that next to minds, Is greater than your worth of one thousand things, No sorrow if there are not varieties of colours, It is better than the fine-faced bride without a dowry'. The last verse, from a ghazal of Sa'di, mustafa ra wa'deh dad altaf-e haqq, gar namani to be-manad in sabaq sanah 1305, 'God's favours was promised to The Chosen (the Prophet), If you do not remain, this will. The year 1305 (1887-8)'. The image on the top depicts a seated young man before an elderly man. The former identified as: 'Shams-e Tabrizi' and the latter 'Mawlavi' (i.e Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi). The side images are identified as Mir Ma'sum 'Ali Shah, Nur 'Ali Shah, Shaykh Sa'di and Sultan Salim. Inside in ink, possibly 'Muhammad'.
The second decorated in polychrome and gilt with hunting scenes, signed and dated to top, 21.8 cm. long.
Inscriptions: spurious signature, 'O 'Abbas! 1286 (1869-70)'.
The third decorated in black and gilt with scenes from a harem, with signature to top, the base with foliate interlace on a black ground, the sides of inner tray with floral scrollwork on a black ground, 21.8 cm. long.
Inscriptions: spurious signature, 'Signed by the most humble, Mustafa 13[0]7 (1889-90)'.
The fourth decorated in polychrome and gilt with a central cartouche containing a scene of religious students with a holy man, surrounded by foliate interlace on a black ground, containing a silver-gilt filigree inkwell set with a blue gemstone, 22.5 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, portraits and gul-o bul bul
the largest 22.5 cm. long(4)
Provenance
Prince Masoud Mirza Yamin al-Dawla Zill al-Sultan (1850-1918), and thence by descent.
The first decorated in gilt, black and orange-brown, to the top a central cartouche depicting the seated Shams-e Tabrizi before Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi, the cartouche surrounded by gul-o bul bul and further cartouches containing inscriptions, the sides and ends with roundels containing portraits of Sufis and birds interspersed by floral sprays, the base with birds and butterflies perched on a floral branch, the sides of inner tray with floral sprays, containing a tinned-copper spoon, 19.7 cm. long.
Inscriptions: In the four inscribed panels, two couplets in praise of the pen-box,
tuba lak ey zarif qalamdan keh nazd-e 'aql, afzuntar ast qadr to az hezar chiz, alvan-e mokhtalif nabovad gar tora cheh gham, khoshtar bovad 'arus-e neku-ruy-e bi-jahiz, 'Joy to you, O the elegant pen box that next to minds, Is greater than your worth of one thousand things, No sorrow if there are not varieties of colours, It is better than the fine-faced bride without a dowry'. The last verse, from a ghazal of Sa'di, mustafa ra wa'deh dad altaf-e haqq, gar namani to be-manad in sabaq sanah 1305, 'God's favours was promised to The Chosen (the Prophet), If you do not remain, this will. The year 1305 (1887-8)'. The image on the top depicts a seated young man before an elderly man. The former identified as: 'Shams-e Tabrizi' and the latter 'Mawlavi' (i.e Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi). The side images are identified as Mir Ma'sum 'Ali Shah, Nur 'Ali Shah, Shaykh Sa'di and Sultan Salim. Inside in ink, possibly 'Muhammad'.
The second decorated in polychrome and gilt with hunting scenes, signed and dated to top, 21.8 cm. long.
Inscriptions: spurious signature, 'O 'Abbas! 1286 (1869-70)'.
The third decorated in black and gilt with scenes from a harem, with signature to top, the base with foliate interlace on a black ground, the sides of inner tray with floral scrollwork on a black ground, 21.8 cm. long.
Inscriptions: spurious signature, 'Signed by the most humble, Mustafa 13[0]7 (1889-90)'.
The fourth decorated in polychrome and gilt with a central cartouche containing a scene of religious students with a holy man, surrounded by foliate interlace on a black ground, containing a silver-gilt filigree inkwell set with a blue gemstone, 22.5 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.
