* A QAJAR TURQUOISE-INSET GOLD QALYAN CUP PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION   Iran, 19th century  Of typical flaring form, with everted rim, the exterior fully encrusted with circular turquoise stones of different sizes, the rim and base with subtle band of coloured faceted stones, possibly spinels, on the interior the gold walls chased in high relief by the exterior setting, the flat gold base added later, 6cm high and 8cm diam.  Zarfs and qalyan cups identical to this are to be found in the Persian Crown Jewels collection (V. B. Meen and A. D. Tushingham, Crown Jewels of Iran, 1968, p.99). Turquoises have always been common and favoured stones in Iran, but especially during the Qajar period, craftsmen started using them more and more to encrust and embellish objects used at court. The quality of the materials and the precision of the design of this cup strongly suggest a royal commission. A similar turquoise-inset gold zarf cup successfully sold at Christie's London, 16 October 2001, lot 309. * Please note that this lot is subject to import VAT at a preferential rate of 5% on the Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on the Buyer's Premium.