A COMMEMORATIVE SILVER BOX
Iran, 1960-70s, gifted from the Pahlavi Shahbanou Farah Diba, Empress of Iran to Richard Sumner, Chief-Superintendent to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother of Britain

Of rectangular shape, resting on four thin feet, the hinged lid intricately engraved with symmetrical scrolling vegetal and floral motifs typical of Pahlavi era, set with the golden imperial crown emblem of Empress Farah, opening to reveal a plain gilt interior, the sides with pairs of birds flanking stylised rosettes, amidst arabesques and leaf patterns, the base with three stamps in Persian nasta'liq '84 Hossein Parvaresh Isfahan and a later scratched inscription reading 'WR14 IJX 4", otherwise plain, 477gr. weight, 18.3cm x 9.7cm x 3.2cm.

A number of these silver boxes were commissioned by the royal Pahlavi family to be gifted as commemorative boxes during important stately and diplomatic ceremonies or as souvenirs during abroad travels. Enclosed within the box is a letter addressed to a descendant of Richard Sumner from the Private Secretary to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. The letter tells us that the box was presented to Richard Sumner by the Shahbanou Farah Diba, Empress of Iran after her stay in Clarence House (a British royal household) in April 1976. Richard Sumner was Protection Officer and Chief-Superintendent to the Queen Mother. Only one year later, Sumner, more affectionately known as 'Dick', died while in service from a heart attack.

Dimensions: 18.3cm x 9.7cm x 3.2cm