A LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ PEN CASE (QALAMDAN) WITH QAJAR EROTIC SCENES
Iran, mid to late 19th century

With rounded ends and sliding tray, polychrome-painted and heightened in gold, the decoration on the top arranged in a vertical format and divided into three gold-highlighted, lobed cartouches with erotic scenes set in typical Qajar interiors, each scene featuring a male and female couple in different stances and poses, the sides with similar scenes, amongst them one with erotic bondage elements, the negative spaces in-between the cartouches filled with golden floral trellis and foliage on black background, the underside and inner tray with stylised gilt lotus, rosette, and saz leaves scrolls against a bright red ground, the inner tray containing a small soot measuring spoon, 23cm long.