A SAFAVID BLUE AND WHITE POTTERY WORK BOX Iran, 17th - 18th century  Of rectangular form, the flat sides resting on stepped feet, the interior characterised by a blue-whitish glaze and organised in three rectangular compartments, the largest central compartment open giving access into the body, the exterior painted in blue, the decoration of the larger sides consisting of three polylobed arches flanked by tall pierced standards, on the background a dense floral and vegetal design with birds, interlocking split palmette tendrils framing the composition, the smaller sides decorated with trees bearing ripe fruits and framed by a triangular lozenge band, 16cm x 24.7cm. For a similar example, please see Christie's London, 25 April 1997, lot 343.