TWO GOLD-DAMASCENED STEEL QALYAN CUPS
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Qajar Iran, late 19th century

Comprising two steel qalyan cups, each of typical cylindrical shape with an everted rim, the smallest cup fitted with a later-added brass base, the steel exterior inlaid in gold and engraved, the decoration on one cup consisting of cusped arabesque-style floral cartouches and rosette sprays highlighted in gold, and on the latter oval medallions with a Qajar prince, a Sufi sheykh drinking, and the motif of the eagle attacking a bird of prey repeated twice, on one side an old ink handwritten inventory number reading no. 69, the largest 8cm diam. and 6cm high.