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 and portraits
the largest 23.8 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, depicting scenes from the tale of Khosrow and Shirin, the cartouches to the sides interspersed by roundels containing portraits, the base with floral interlace on a red ground, the sides of inner tray with further floral interlace on a red ground, signed to top, 22.1 cm. long.
Inscriptions: the repeat of ya 'ali, 'O 'Ali!'. Spurious signature, kamtarin nasr 'ali, 'The most humble, Nasr 'Ali'.
For a group of album pages containing comparable scenes sold in these rooms, see Bonhams, Islamic and Indian Art, 29 March 2022, lot 130.
The second with cartouches and roundels containing images of Sufi Shaykhs with inscriptions, on a ground of foliate interlace, the base with floral sprays on a black ground, the sides of inner tray with further foliate sprays on a black ground, 23.6 cm. long.
Inscriptions:
To the top: Mi Mas'um 'Ali Shah, Baba 'Abdullah, Shams-i Tabrizi, Mawlavi (i.e. Jalal al-Din Rumi), Mahv 'Ali Shah, Sa'di, Sultan Salim.
Around the sides: various shaykhs including: Shaykh 'Abu'l-Hasan, Majzub 'Ali Shah, Hafiz, Baba Kuhi, Ansari, Kabuli, Mushtaq 'Ali Shah, Palang 'Ali Shah, Ibrahim Adham, Qutb al-Din, Baba Tahir.
The third decorated in polychrome and gilt with seven cartouches depicting scenes from the story of Bahram Gur in the seven pavilions, interspersed by further cartouches containing portraits of couples and individuals, all on a ground of foliate and floral designs, the base with large foliate spray on a black ground, with further foliate sprays to sides of inner tray, 23.1 cm. long.
The fourth decorated in polychrome and gilt with hunting scenes, the base with foliate designs on a red ground, the sides of inner tray with foliate sprays on a red ground, 23.8 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 and portraits
the largest 23.8 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, depicting scenes from the tale of Khosrow and Shirin, the cartouches to the sides interspersed by roundels containing portraits, the base with floral interlace on a red ground, the sides of inner tray with further floral interlace on a red ground, signed to top, 22.1 cm. long.
Inscriptions: the repeat of ya 'ali, 'O 'Ali!'. Spurious signature, kamtarin nasr 'ali, 'The most humble, Nasr 'Ali'.
For a group of album pages containing comparable scenes sold in these rooms, see Bonhams, Islamic and Indian Art, 29 March 2022, lot 130.
The second with cartouches and roundels containing images of Sufi Shaykhs with inscriptions, on a ground of foliate interlace, the base with floral sprays on a black ground, the sides of inner tray with further foliate sprays on a black ground, 23.6 cm. long.
Inscriptions:
To the top: Mi Mas'um 'Ali Shah, Baba 'Abdullah, Shams-i Tabrizi, Mawlavi (i.e. Jalal al-Din Rumi), Mahv 'Ali Shah, Sa'di, Sultan Salim.
Around the sides: various shaykhs including: Shaykh 'Abu'l-Hasan, Majzub 'Ali Shah, Hafiz, Baba Kuhi, Ansari, Kabuli, Mushtaq 'Ali Shah, Palang 'Ali Shah, Ibrahim Adham, Qutb al-Din, Baba Tahir.
The third decorated in polychrome and gilt with seven cartouches depicting scenes from the story of Bahram Gur in the seven pavilions, interspersed by further cartouches containing portraits of couples and individuals, all on a ground of foliate and floral designs, the base with large foliate spray on a black ground, with further foliate sprays to sides of inner tray, 23.1 cm. long.
The fourth decorated in polychrome and gilt with hunting scenes, the base with foliate designs on a red ground, the sides of inner tray with foliate sprays on a red ground, 23.8 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.
