*A QAJAR LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ PEN CASE (QALAMDAN)

PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Iran, 19th century

With rounded ends and sliding tray, the top painted in a vertical arrangement with portrait of three young ladies in European style in polylobed cartouches, against a ground of rose clusters, with two pairs of deer at either end, the sides with naturalistic flowers and butterflies against a dark lacquer red ground, four areas painted in symmetrical cartouches against the sliding opening with miniature landscapes with scenes of Cossack military life, the ends with delicate portraits of young ladies in polylobed cartouches, gilt highlights, the base and underside with gold trellis and scrolling lotus flowers against a copper red ground, 22cm x 3cm x 3.5cm.