THREE PAIRS OF SMALL COPPER QALYAN PIPE TUBULAR ELEMENTS
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Iran, mid to late 19th century

Comprising six cylindrical water pipe segments arranged in three pairs, each painted in polychrome enamels and gold on a copper surface, the smallest pair decorated with floral bloom with roses and irises against a gold ground, the middle-sized pair with oval miniature portrait medallions with a Qajar youth amidst floral festoons, and the largest pair with a similar decoration featuring a Qajar king and his advisor against a cobalt blue ground with gilt vegetal and foliate motifs, the largest 4cm high.