A LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ MIRROR CASE WITH A REVERSE GLASS PAINTING OF ALI, HASAN, AND HUSSAYN ON THE INTERIOR
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Qajar Iran, 19th century

Of typical rectangular shape and portable size, the mirror case painted, lacquered and heightened in gold, the front and back covers decorated with a central cusped cartouche with the standard gol-o-bolbol motif featuring a nightingale in a rose bush surrounded by prunus blossoms and an iris, a small butterfly at the top, all set against a black background with intertwined golden vegetal scrolls and vines, framed within concentric decorative borders and a wide thuluth calligraphic band quoting passages from the Holy Qur'an and prayers on gold-sprinkled ground, the interior of the front cover enhanced with a reverse glass painting of the Shi'a Imam Ali and his two sons, Hasan and Hussayn, narrow gold calligraphic cartouches framing the portrait at the top and bottom, 25cm x 15.5cm.

Inscriptions

The cover: Praises of the Prophet and the Saints.

The back: Sura an-Nur (24), aya 35, and further praises of the Prophet

The reverse glass mirror panel on the interior of the cover: Sura al-Ma'idah (5), part of aya 3 (a verse usually associated in Shi'a Islam with Imam Ali)