A LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ PEN CASE (QALAMDAN) WITH BIRDS AND HAZELNUTS
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE EUROPEAN COLLECTOR
Qajar Iran, ca. 1840 - 1850

With rounded ends and sliding tray, lacquered, polychrome-painted and heightened in gold, the top and sides painted with a traditional horizontal composition featuring butterflies and plump birds perched on leafy branches filled with hazelnuts, all against a bright metallic red ground, the sides and base of the sliding tray painted in plain black, the underside of the case with a fine polychrome and gold-painted scrollwork of lotus flowers, roses and saz leaves against a dark metallic green ground, 24cm long.