A QAJAR KHATAMKARI OCCASIONAL TABLE MADE FOR A LONDON SETTING
Iran, dated 1301 AH (1883 - 1884 AD)

The circular top mounted on a baluster stem resting on an elegant splayed tripod with sinuous down-swept legs, profusely and intricately inlaid with micro-mosaic brass, bone, wood, lac, and verdigris-stained bone forming concentric geometric stellar patterns, the outer band of elongated cartouches inlaid with eight hemistiches of Persian poetry in nasta’liq script in praise of the table, 50cm diam. and 72cm high.

Inscription: Persian verse, ‘Worthy of London statesmen’s evening banquet, who gather around the axis of this circular table, a thousand well-done to the master craftsman’s hand, who has reflected the sun in the ornamentation of this table, decorated like the span of the sky with multitudes of stars, the guest and host equally owed in praise. 1301 is the date of its creation and completion.'

The rather naïve poetry represents the immense pride the commission must have generated in an Iranian craftsman’s workshop. It might be assumed the table was meant for the ambassador’s residence in London, where Persian poetry would have been understood. The many puns and word-plays, including the use of the technique of Khatam as the verb khatam gasht (completed) are note-worthy.