A POLYCHROME-PAINTED ENAMELLED GOLD QALYAN CUP WITH QAJAR YOUTHS AND MAIDENS
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Qajar Iran, 19th century

Of typical flaring cylindrical shape, with a wide everted rim enhanced with circular filigree settings possibly once filled with semi-precious stones, made of gold sheets wrapped around a central copper core, the exterior finely painted with polychrome enamels with four oval medallions filled with the typical Qajar topos of charming youths and maidens' miniature portraits, two depicting couples and lush floral triumphs, the other two with individual portraits, one of a lady playing with her hair and holding a piece of fruit as an offering, and a male member of the court drinking from a small cup, each medallion framed within a golden beaded band, alternating with golden floral bouquets and foliage against cobalt blue ground, the lower edge of the cup with a decorative band with birds and rosettes, 8.5cm diam. and 6.4cm high.

A very similar qalyan cup with portraits of a Qajar high-class family with their son and daughter was also part of the same collection and sold in these Rooms, 29 October 2021, lot 217. One could speculate the two cups were supposed to be a near pair and used in the same household, showing different images (the family vs. the eros) according to the mood of the day and the beholders' entourage.