A LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ MIRROR CASE WITH GOL-O-BOLBOL MOTIF
Qajar Iran, the inner cover dated Dhu al-Qidah 1317 AH (March 1900) and signed Muhammad Ali Ibn Muhammad Husain Al-Isfahani

Of typical rectangular shape, the mirror case painted in polychromes, heightened in gold, and lacquered, the front and back covers decorated with the beloved Persian literary topos of the rose and the love-struck nightingale (gol o bolbol), each panel showcasing a lush floral triumph and two nightingales perched on rose stems surrounded by smaller rose buds, tulips, carnations, hyacinths, foliage, and moths, all against a speckled gold background, the inner panel of the front cover depicting a floral bouquet with a large purple iris surrounded by white narcissi against a mat golden ground, encased within concentric vegetal borders and a larger band with calligraphic cartouches in free-flowing nasta'liq script in white and black on alternating gold and black grounds, the text quoting couplets from a tarji’-band of the Persian poet Sa’di and another couplet from one of his ghazals, 29.5cm x 18.5cm.