A PAIR OF QAJAR GOLD-DAMASCENED STEEL BOTTLES
Iran, second half 19th century

Each of pyriform shape, with a bulbous body, resting on a splayed circular foot, rising to a gently flared narrow neck with a bulging ring near the base and an everted circular mouth at the top, each with a dome-shaped stopper with a spire finial, the exterior decorated with gold-inlaid outlines of lobed cartouches filled with engraved rosettes, floral bloom and vegetal sprays, in the centre of the largest cartouches gold-inlaid stylised cusped arabesques, each 39.5cm high.

A similar pair presenting comparable decorations and signed by the great master of Persian metalwork Hajji 'Abbas sold in these Rooms; please see the auction catalogue, 22 April 2020, lot 137.